As we head towards the new year, we have seen a great deal of changes and Teams is no exception. Microsoft has announced plans to improve and refine the user experience. To learn about the most recent Microsoft Teams features updates that will be accessible in the upcoming year, keep reading this article or watch Dan's video, in which he covers the key points in just four minutes.
NEW MICROSOFT TEAMS FEATURES
1. Automatically view up to 49 videos (7x7) in Teams meeting
Microsoft Teams Meetings previously supported a maximum of 9 videos (3x3) on the screen by default (in Gallery view). For seeing more than 9 videos, users had to manually select the ‘Large Gallery’ view. With this update, users are now able to automatically see up to 49 videos (7x7) on their screen by default without an explicit action. However, this enhancement will be supported on devices that meet hardware requirements (CPU, memory etc.)
2. Custom download location for files in Teams
Currently all file downloads from Teams go to the “Downloads” folder and there is no mechanism to change it. With this new feature users will be able to choose their preferred download location for downloading files in Teams or specify a download location for each download. To enable this there is a new setting introduced under “Files” settings which would allow the users to change the default download location to their preferred download location.
3. Browser Screen Pop for Incoming PSTN Calls
An automatic browser screen will now launch for users when an incoming PSTN call is accepted in Microsoft Teams. The browser screen will display relevant information to the user (CRM data, case data, etc.).
Users can turn off the automatic launch in the user settings (call section).
The browser screen will not pop out if:
- Policy is disabled in the Teams Admin Center
- Teams user turns off the capability in the user setting
- It’s not PSTN incoming call
- It’s an anonymous PSTN call
- The call is declined by Teams user
4. Call control with bluetooth headsets and speakerphones
This new feature allows users to use the buttons on Bluetooth headsets, speakerphones or certified devices that don’t require a USB dongle to answer, end and even mute calls.
This feature supports both Windows 10 and Windows 11. Mac support will be upcoming later this year to early 2023.
At this time, if a user has two or more audio devices connected to their PC, answering the call using device button is not supported (this is to avoid activating the wrong device). This limitation will be removed in upcoming updates to Windows that will allow Teams to know which device triggered the call answer action, but Microsoft does not have an estimated time at this time.
5. Start a Teams Chat with Distribution Groups, Mail-Enabled Security Groups, and O365 Groups
A new feature allows Teams users to start new group chats by adding participants from the membership of distribution lists, Microsoft 365 groups, or mail-enabled security groups. It’s a neat way to add up to 249 participants to a new group chat.
6. Assign Seats in Together Mode
Teams meeting organizer now has the option to assign seats in Together Mode for all participants in a meeting.
Meeting organizer can assign seats to meeting invitees and all the participants currently in the meeting by dragging the user to the preferred seat. Once assigned, organizer can apply the newly created layout and everyone in the meeting will see the participants organized by the seating assignment.
7. Unread Toggle in Activity Feed
Microsoft Teams desktop app is getting a new toggle button that will let users view all unread items in the Activity feed with a single click.
To filter unread activities in Teams, users will need to click the activity option in the sidebar and enable the “Unread only” toggle button. Once clicked, the activity pane will show all unread notifications (filtered and ordered by date).
8. Usability Improvements to In-Meeting Notifications
Microsoft Teams is updating the user experience for how in-meeting notifications are displayed. With this update, there will be less distractions during meetings and it will be easier to understand important information (e.g. a meeting being recorded).
Notifications will now be consistent in design and in a consistent position when displayed (top center of the meeting stage) as bubbles stacked on top of each other. This will avoid overlaps and give the user a cleaner visual experience. In addition, users can also snooze repeat notifications, such as chat bubbles.
9. Users’ ability to delete chats
Users can now delete 1:1 chats, group chats, and meeting chats if they are a participant in Microsoft Teams. This permanently deletes the chat only for the user, other people in the chat and conversation history for them is not impacted. It will begin rolling out in early December and expect to complete rollout by mid-December.
10. Speaker Coach in Microsoft Teams Meetings
Speaker Coach provides private, personalized feedback on your speaking skills in both real-time as well as post-meeting, in a summary.
While you are in a meeting, you can turn on Speaker Coach. Once Speaker Coach is enabled, speak as you normally would during your meeting to see what kind of feedback it has for you. Once you are done with your meeting you can access your post meeting Speaker Coach report as below:
Want to learn more about how to use Microsoft Teams features?
For more information or to speak with one of our Microsoft Teams experts, give our team a call on 01785 878 311 or email us at info@epx.co.uk
