The future of Microsoft Teams is looking bright, and soon you may be able to see it in your living room or office. In fact, a few key features of the new program will soon be making their way to your screen, including the ability to chat with yourself and a bot built just for you.
Workspace management
If you’re planning to make use of Microsoft Teams for team communication, consider using shared workspace software to help you collaborate better. It can also improve your overall productivity, especially if you have a large team or a remote workforce. In addition to providing a way to easily communicate and share documents, a good app will let you access a variety of features.
A Citrix Workspace app can help you with this. The application is available for Windows and Mac. Using the app, you can share your desktop and apps with your peers. However, you might not be able to see incoming video or audio. You can use the HKCU registry to change the default behavior.
Before using the application, you’ll want to check its compatibility. For example, you need a VDA 2112 or higher, and you’ll need at least 600 MB of free disk space. Depending on the version you’re using, you might need to enable Background blurring effects. This feature adds 2% of CPU usage.
When using the application, you should ensure that you have an internet connection. Otherwise, you may experience slow performance and backhauling of traffic. There are options to minimize this, like using a Citrix SD-WAN branch appliance.
Another option to increase the quality of your audio and video is to use the ‘HDX optimization’ feature. This option is enabled by default in the VDA. HDX optimization works by analyzing the incoming screen sharing as a video stream. Therefore, it can cause a high CPU usage on the VDA.
The ‘Manage console’ policy in the registry is another way to enable Microsoft Teams optimization. You’ll find it in the HDXMediaStreamMSTeamsRedirSupport key.
One-on-one chat with yourself
Microsoft Teams is a new chat-based messaging application that combines the functionality of the entire Office365 suite. While it originally came out as a video-call application, it’s now available as a mobile app for both iOS and Android devices. The feature allows users to send themselves files, chat with themselves, and even start audio and video calls.
The application is available for free and integrates with many popular apps. It also has a built-in whiteboard, which includes sticky notes, reactions, images, and more. Several editing tools are also available.
There are several keyboard shortcuts that make working in Teams easier. You can type messages in the compose box and receive suggested replies. Another helpful tool is the immersive reading mode. Using a slider, you can customize the way the text flows. By default, the text is read out loud, but you can also read it without interruptions.
Teams also has a search function, which allows you to find and read messages that you have saved. In addition, you can search by message subject, name, and date. This search function can be an indispensable feature.
Teams has an auto-attendant, which is like a virtual receptionist. When a user invites you to a meeting, you’ll see a pop-up notification. If you’re invited to a meeting, you’ll be able to join it by clicking the “Join Meeting” button.
Meetings in Teams are available on demand. Once you’ve joined a meeting, you can view the agenda, participants, and caller information. After the meeting, you can record it for later viewing.
Teams offers unlimited chat messages. Users can filter chats by a number of ways, including bots. They can also pin messages to themselves.
Emoji growth
The Microsoft Teams app is a great way to stay in the loop with colleagues and friends. You can send emojis, GIFs, and files to each other. There are also group chats and individual ones. To get the full effect you may want to try out the mobile version as well.
There are also several new features on the horizon. The most notable is that you can now use the app to schedule meetings. This includes meeting organizers, reserving room inventory, and extending the length of an existing meeting.
Another feature gracing the home screen is the ability to share a specific area of your desktop. This is especially handy if you are a Mac user, since you may be able to use your desktop to display content from other apps. Also worth noting is the new sharing button, which enables you to make a note and send it.
In addition to the new sharing capabilities you can now use the app to check out a room. To do this you just need to click the room badge, and if the room is empty, then all is well. On the other hand, if there are other people in the room, then it’s time for you to move on.
Smart speakers
Microsoft Teams is looking to expand the reach of its cloud conferencing platform beyond its walls. The company is bringing Teams to new devices like smart speakers. These are devices that can be controlled using voice commands.
They can be used to help you follow along with the meeting. It can also answer simple questions, such as what time is it? You can even ask your smart speaker for help with a complicated math problem.
There are many different types of smart speakers. Some are designed to play music while others can be controlled by an app. Some can even control a smart home device. For example, the Nest Hub is an excellent device for interacting with your smart home.
However, if you are looking for a smart speaker that does not cost a lot of money, the Amazon Echo Dot is a good choice. With multiple microphones and a built-in LED clock, this little device is capable of a number of functions.
One of the coolest features of this little gadget is that it can make calls to approved contacts. You can use a Bluetooth headset to make calls without having to plug in a USB dongle.
If you are looking for a smart speaker that can provide a better sound experience, you might want to consider Sonos Move. This device uses TrueTone technology to optimize the sound for your room. Plus, it has Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, and Google Assistant.
You can also check out the Amazon Echo Show. With its 10in touchscreen, this device resembles a digital photo frame. While it doesn’t have the aforementioned most noticeable tidbit, it does come with a two-year guarantee.
Bots built specifically for you
If you have a bot that you think would be useful in your Microsoft Teams organization, you can submit it to be approved by an admin. Once the bot is approved, you can show it to teammates. In addition to showing the bot to teammates, you can also feature it in the built section of your organization.
Bots can be used in group chats, one-to-one conversations, or in channels. Group chats are usually transient, while channels are threaded. It’s important to keep these different kinds of interactions in mind when using a bot.
You must ensure that your bot is compliant with your company’s standards. Bots aren’t viewed positively by users if they’re too broad in their commands. For example, if you’re building a bot to automate routine tasks in HR, you don’t want to create a bot that has six commands. Instead, you should create one with a narrower scope.
Besides, bots that are built for internal use should have security settings. Unless an admin approves it, it won’t be able to show up in the app store.
Admins are able to set the policy for the Microsoft Teams app. They can also pin apps for specific users. Admins can even preinstall bots for users. But once a user has installed a bot, the bot will remain there until it is uninstalled.
After an admin approves a bot, it will appear in the Built by your colleagues section. Admins can also remove it from this section if it doesn’t fit their organizational needs.
Users can install a bot from the Microsoft Teams app store, but there are a few steps you should take before doing so. First, you must sign out of the Teams desktop client and refresh your browser. This will clear any cached information.
More details
A brand-new large-screen display created especially for use with Microsoft’s video conferencing technology has been produced in collaboration with the Chinese electronics manufacturer Hisense.
Microsoft Teams would be accessible on Hisense’s WR line of Android-powered touch panels, which come in 65-, 75-, and 86-inch configurations, according to an update on Microsoft China’s news site(opens in new tab).
Although Hisense’s WR displays are outfitted with cameras and sound systems to provide an all-in-one solution for meeting rooms, users seeking the maximum customizability may wish to consider discrete video bars.
With plans to sell its products throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, and the Americas, the Chinese company is now one step closer to expanding its business displays to a global audience.
Hisense has a long history of producing high-end consumer items, including washing machines, refrigerators, and televisions. However, its growth into business-oriented products may indicate a new direction for the company to take.
The HiTeams app, which promises a variety of login types including authenticated client access and anonymous participation, will make it possible to use Teams on a Hisense display.
Additionally, the devices will employ Azure Communication Services (ACS) and APIs to provide capabilities like text chat, SMS, emailing, and PSTN phone in addition to voice and video conferences, assisting businesses in minimizing the amount of hardware needed in conference rooms and shared spaces.
The partnership between Microsoft and Hisense is only getting started, according to Ma Yue, vice president of Microsoft Greater China: “Looking to the future, Microsoft will go hand in hand with Hisense to carry out long-term and in-depth cooperation in more long-term situations.”
