Microsoft Teams adds new features to improve video chat meetings

By Mark Anthony Ramirez
published

Live reactions and new video layouts come to Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams update improves video chat
(Image credit: Microsoft )

Microsoft will soon be adding a few new features to Teams and Teams Rooms to improve connecting with co-workers and clients. The goal is for a seamless experience regardless of where they're working from home or the office. 

In the upcoming months, Microsoft Teams will be rolling out a new layout in Teams Rooms, called "Front Row," that will place remote participants at the bottom of your screen, so they appear to be facing those in the room. Microsoft laid out its planned improvements in a blog post (opens in new tab)titled " The future of hybrid work (opens in new tab)," which explained how the front row layout would also include meeting information such as agenda, tasks, notes, and chat. 

Microsoft aims to maximize display real estate splitting the video feeds across available displays when a screen isn't being shared, so more remote users are visible during video chat. 

Microsoft Teams Update

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Team Rooms will come with some of the most popular features you find in your personal Teams account, with the ability to choose or spotlight multiple video feeds and live reactions allowing participants to interact in real-time.

In Microsoft's "future of hybrid work," the tech giant also discussed the default recording of meetings, using smart cameras to simulate in-person contact and interactions. These added features should make the hybrid work environment many are facing is easier to transition to. 

Via CNET

Mark Anthony Ramirez
Mark Anthony Ramirez

Mark has spent 20 years headlining comedy shows around the country and made appearances on ABC, MTV, Comedy Central, Howard Stern, Food Network, and Sirius XM Radio. He has written about every topic imaginable, from dating, family, politics, social issues, and tech. He wrote his first tech articles for the now-defunct Dads On Tech 10 years ago, and his passion for combining humor and tech has grown under the tutelage of the Laptop Mag team. His penchant for tearing things down and rebuilding them did not make Mark popular at home, however, when he got his hands on the legendary Commodore 64, his passion for all things tech deepened. These days, when he is not filming, editing footage, tinkering with cameras and laptops, or on stage, he can be found at his desk snacking, writing about everything tech, new jokes, or scripts he dreams of filming.