Microsoft is working on a major update for its Teams app, aiming to simplify communication for businesses and organizations. According to Tom Warren of The Verge, the company is internally testing a new version of Teams that integrates text chats and channels into a single user interface.
This new interface is designed to streamline the user experience by bringing together different communication tools within Teams. By consolidating text chats and channels, Microsoft hopes to make it easier for users to manage their conversations and collaborate more effectively.
Teams seek to unify chats and channels.
Currently, Microsoft Teams separates communication functions into individual chats for personal messages and small group interactions, as well as channels for larger group discussions and meetings. This setup has led many companies to use Teams channels primarily for important announcements while relying heavily on the chat section for day-to-day communication.
Microsoft’s internal message about the upcoming changes to Teams states: “Our new experience brings together chats and channels to get you to what matters faster.” Although there is no specific release date for this update, it is expected that Microsoft will first offer it to members of the Teams public preview program before making it generally available.
Teams is one of Microsoft’s services that most frequently adds new features and improvements. Recently, the company has introduced several new capabilities, such as the ability to create custom emojis and reactions for both text chats and channels and the option to disable notifications for posts in channels.
Other recent updates include the expansion of the voice recognition feature, Copilot, for Teams Rooms on Windows, support for customizing sound notifications, and a revamped gallery design for video meetings. This new design ensures that the size of each participant’s tile remains consistent, whether their camera is on or off.
