This week, Microsoft Ignite kicked off its monumental yearly online event showcasing its leading developments in computing innovations.
This year, the firm revealed many aspects of its research and development into emerging technologies such as MR headsets, immersive communications methods, and AI.
Amongst its updates, Microsoft announced that new “immersive spaces” and avatars will be coming to its massively popular Teams application for workplace communications.
According to Microsoft, the firm will debut Immersive spaces and avatars for Microsoft Teams in January 2024 for general availability.
What’s New in Microsoft Teams?
With the new update, Microsoft Teams is bringing the “power” of its Mesh platform – which Microsoft also revealed at Ignite – to the communication service, allowing customers to design bespoke workplace avatars without leaving the Teams service.
Mesh is Microsoft’s in-house XR platform, which leverages RT3D VR/MR assets and platforms to enhance enterprise collaboration – transforming a 2D meeting into a 3D the firm remarks.
But what does a 3D transformation bring to Microsoft Teams? Quite a lot.
Notably, the firm revealed that Immersive Spaces for Microsoft Teams will introduce Avatars to the platform. The feature allows users to create a personal 3D avatar based on various customisable features. Interested users can create an avatar for Teams meetings today via the desktop application.
The update also provides 3D environments via Mesh to coincide with the avatar system. Teams allow workers to choose a suitable environment for large-scale or small-scale meetings.
Moreover, within an immersive Team environment, leaders can manage a group of workers with determined seating assignments and interactive activities.
Immersive spaces also leverage spatial audio systems to enable effective and private conversations. Moreover, users can communicate with animations such as a thumbs up.
2023, a Landmark Year for Teams
Earlier this year, Microsoft first introduced Mesh features for Teams via an update that introduced avatars to the platform.
The initial avatar update didn’t allow avatars to move around an immersive space. However, the update first brought new methods of connectivity to the platform.
The May update allows Teams users to create an avatar that represents them best via a lineup of customisable visual options.
According to Microsoft, the Avatar features – and therefore the January 2024 Mesh update – allow workers to combat hurdles like Zoom fatigue by providing greater dial-in flexibility.
By providing an immersive alternative to webcam-based dial-in methods, immersive Teams features allow users to dial in without needing a webcam, replacing the conventional video feed with a customisable avatar.
Teams’ new integrated, immersive features assist workers who cannot share a video feed due to an unsuitable working environment or poor internet connection.
This allows dispersed Teams to continue meeting participation in ways unachievable with simple audio-only dial-on options.
On the other hand, while immersive features could extend the usability of Teams for workers in unsuitable dial-in environments, streaming an RT3D space may require good WiFi connectivity.
Microsoft is building its immersive division following the closure of Altspace VR, where the firm transitioned several employees to Mesh to design enterprise-grade immersive services.
In 2024, Microsoft will also start deploying and revealing more details on its industrial Metaverse roadmap that the firm is working on in the background, along with its AI ambitions.
