www.theverge.com
Open in
urlscan Pro
151.101.65.52
Public Scan
Submitted URL: https://bit.ly/3qNyXv5?cc=cab5a872602d3e460fbf89debbcff6d8
Effective URL: https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/16/22980627/microsoft-outlook-teams-surface-hub-updates-hybrid-work?utm_content=buffer718...
Submission: On March 31 via manual from CA — Scanned from CA
Effective URL: https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/16/22980627/microsoft-outlook-teams-surface-hub-updates-hybrid-work?utm_content=buffer718...
Submission: On March 31 via manual from CA — Scanned from CA
Form analysis 3 forms found in the DOM
GET /search
<form action="/search" method="GET" id="global_search_form" data-analytics-class="search">
<input class="p-input-header__input" name="q" placeholder="Search">
<input type="submit" class="p-input-header__link p-button" value="Search">
</form>POST /newsletter_form
<form action="/newsletter_form" method="post" id="subForm" data-submit-ajax-redirect="/pages/newsletters" data-analytics-class="newsletter" class="c-newsletter_signup_box--form c-newsletter_signup_box--form__1" data-analytics-placement="sidebar"
data-cid="site/newsletter_signup_form-1648738486_3840_356041" data-cdata="{}">
<input id="field_source" name="source" value="Presto::Site::NewsletterSignupBox__/2022/3/16/22980627/microsoft-outlook-teams-surface-hub-updates-hybrid-work" type="hidden">
<input id="field_list_id" name="list_id" value="Verge Deals" type="hidden">
<input id="field_signup_source" name="signup_source" value="sidebar" type="hidden">
<input id="field_provider" name="provider" value="sailthru" type="hidden">
<div class="c-newsletter_signup_box--form__success" style="display: none">
<h4>Just one more thing!</h4>
<p>Please confirm your subscription to Verge Deals via the verification email we just sent you.</p>
</div>
<div class="c-newsletter_signup_box--form__body">
<div class="c-newsletter_signup_box--form__field">
<label for="field_email" class="c-newsletter_signup_box--form__email">
<span>Email <strong class="c-newsletter_signup_box--form__required-field">(required)</strong></span>
</label>
<div class="c-newsletter_signup_box--form__input">
<input id="field_email" class="p-text-input js-bound" name="email" type="email" required="" placeholder="">
</div>
</div>
<div class="c-newsletter_signup_box--form__disclaimer"> By signing up, you agree to our <a href="https://www.voxmedia.com/legal/privacy-notice">Privacy Notice</a> and European users agree to the data transfer policy. </div>
<button type="submit" class="p-button">Subscribe</button>
</div>
</form>POST //phonograph2.voxmedia.com/needle
<form method="POST" action="//phonograph2.voxmedia.com/needle" target="phonograph-1648741198079" style="display: none;"><input type="text" name="d"
value="{"Page Title":"Microsoft updates Outlook, Teams, and PowerPoint to be hybrid work ready - The Verge","GA Track Prefix":"t1.","geoip_continent":"NA","Network":"theverge","Community":"theverge","root_domain":"theverge.com","GA Primary ID":"UA-26533115-1","GA CrossDomains":"theverge.com","Content ID":"22744668","Story Word Count":885,"Entry Groups":"front-page:microsoft:tech","Hidden Groups":"News","articleSection":"Front Page","Author":"Tom Warren","Last Time Updated":"2022-03-16 09:31","Hour of Update":"09","Modified Date":"2022-03-16 09:00","Publish Date":"2022-03-16 09:00","Hour of Publish":"09","Evergreen URL":"dated","commerceAffiliateDisclosure":"affiliate links:commerce disclosure","Demand Post":"no","All Chorus Categories":"theverge:theverge:front-page:microsoft:tech:News","Content Type":"article","chartbeat_domain":"theverge.com","chartbeat_zone":"172968584/verge","chartbeat_authors":"Tom Warren","Logged in Status":"Logged Out","auth0_id":"No Auth0 ID","enable_url_cleaning":true,"ScrollSubscription":"false","pageloadId":"49f7e091-b9ba-4710-afaa-99c225f232fb","User ID":null,"_ga_cid":"579970576.1648741198"}"
class=" js-bound"><input type="text" name="e" value="pageload" class=" js-bound"><input type="text" name="uid" value="fb486637-f803-4681-9863-8377859a004e" class=" js-bound"><input type="text" name="suid"
value="2d2a1700-f667-43ae-94e3-5f4180c88260" class=" js-bound"><input type="text" name="de" value="UTF-8" class=" js-bound"><input type="text" name="sr" value="1600x1200" class=" js-bound"><input type="text" name="vp" value="1600x1200"
class=" js-bound"><input type="text" name="ul" value="en-us" class=" js-bound"><input type="text" name="sd" value="24-bit" class=" js-bound"><input type="text" name="fl" value="0,0,0" class=" js-bound"><input type="text" name="je" value="0"
class=" js-bound"><input type="text" name="dl"
value="https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/16/22980627/microsoft-outlook-teams-surface-hub-updates-hybrid-work?utm_content=buffer718f8&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer" class=" js-bound"><input type="text"
name="dr" value="" class=" js-bound"><input type="text" name="wh" value="www.theverge.com" class=" js-bound"><input type="text" name="z" value="1669747199" class=" js-bound"></form>Text Content
Skip to main content clock menu more-arrow no yes
The Verge homepage
FOLLOW THE VERGE ONLINE:
* Follow The Verge on Facebook
* Follow The Verge on Twitter
* RSS feed (all stories on The Verge)
Log in or sign up
* Log In
* Sign Up
SITE SEARCH
Search Search
THE VERGE MAIN MENU
* Tech
* Reviews
* Science
* Creators
* Entertainment
* Video
* Features
* Podcasts
* Newsletters
* Store
* More
* Tech
Video Amazon Apple Facebook Google
Microsoft Samsung Tesla AI Cars
Cybersecurity Mobile Policy Privacy Scooters
* All Tech
* Reviews
Phones Laptops Headphones Cameras
Tablets Smartwatches Speakers Drones
Accessories Buying Guides How-tos Deals
* More from Verge Reviews
* Science
Video Space NASA SpaceX
Health Energy Environment
* All Science
* Creators
YouTube Instagram Adobe
Kickstarter Tumblr Art Club
Cameras Photography What’s in your bag?
* All Creators
* Entertainment
Film TV Games
Fortnite Game of Thrones Books
Comics Music
* All Entertainment
* Video
* Features
* Podcasts
* Newsletters
* Store
✕
Filed under:
* Microsoft
* Tech
MICROSOFT UPDATES OUTLOOK, TEAMS, AND POWERPOINT TO BE HYBRID WORK READY
0 New, 17 comments
Teams is getting more remote-friendly
By Tom Warren@tomwarren Mar 16, 2022, 9:00am EDT
If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our
ethics statement.
SHARE THIS STORY
* Share this on Facebook (opens in new window)
* Share this on Twitter (opens in new window)
* Share All sharing options
SHARE ALL SHARING OPTIONS FOR: MICROSOFT UPDATES OUTLOOK, TEAMS, AND POWERPOINT
TO BE HYBRID WORK READY
* Linkedin (opens in new window)
* Reddit (opens in new window)
* Pocket (opens in new window)
* Flipboard (opens in new window)
* Email (opens in new window)
Image: Microsoft
Microsoft was one of the first companies to warn other businesses that the
pandemic would forever change work habits. Two years later, Microsoft has
embraced remote work both in its products and in practice with regard to how and
where its employees get work done. Today it’s announcing changes to Microsoft
Teams, Outlook, PowerPoint, and even Surface hardware to improve the hybrid
realities of remote and office work.
As more businesses return to offices and contemplate a mix of remote and office
work, Microsoft is updating Outlook to make it easier to see if colleagues are
planning to attend meetings in person or not. A new Outlook RSVP feature will
appear in public preview in the web version of Outlook in Q2 that allows meeting
attendees to select if they’re joining virtually or in-person.
New Outlook RSVP interface. Image: Microsoft
“This is just one piece that I think will really help employees understand who
will be in the office and how to optimize those meeting experiences,” explains
Nicole Herskowitz, vice president of Microsoft Teams, in an interview with The
Verge. It doesn’t appear to be quite as comprehensive as Gmail’s work location
feature, but Shiraz Cupala, general manager of Microsoft Teams, tells The Verge
the company is thinking about “how do we surface that at a glance view across
your day or your week.”
Once people are in a Microsoft Teams meeting, there are a variety of
improvements arriving to better accommodate remote participants. A new Front Row
layout is launching in Teams today, which moves the video gallery to the bottom
of a screen so people physically in meeting rooms can see remote colleagues face
to face. Microsoft has been promising this new layout for nearly a year, and it
has been a big part of the company’s vision for the future of meetings.
Similarly, Microsoft is updating the companion device experience for Teams Rooms
so in-person attendees can join meetings with their own device and be prompted
to enable their video so remote participants can see them more easily inside a
meeting room. “There are over 90 million conference rooms around the world, and
less than 8 percent are actually video-enabled,” says Herskowitz. So this is a
key change for most businesses.
Microsoft Teams’ Front Row video layout. Image: Microsoft
Speaking of video meetings, Microsoft is also introducing a new Surface Hub
smart camera. You can read all about that right here.
Another big part of Microsoft’s vision for the future of work is Loop
components. Microsoft Loop components are blocks of collaborative Office content
that can live independently and be copied, pasted, and shared with others.
Imagine taking notes in a Teams meeting and then copying those notes into an
email, but the notes continue to update as other people edit them inside emails
and Teams.
It’s a powerful concept, known previously as Fluid, that Microsoft has been
promising for a couple of years now. After appearing in Teams in January, Loop
components are now making their way to Outlook mail, linking together
Microsoft’s main communications tools.
Microsoft’s take on hybrid work wouldn’t be complete without some improvements
to PowerPoint. The new cameo and recording studio features of PowerPoint are now
being combined together. Cameo lets you integrate a Microsoft Teams camera into
your presentation slide deck, and recording studio lets you record yourself
speaking to any slide. They’re both designed to improve the meeting experience
for remote colleagues, and the combination will be available in Q2.
Microsoft Whiteboard is getting new templates. Image: Microsoft
Also arriving in Q2 are some improvements to Microsoft Whiteboard in Teams. If
you’ve never used Whiteboard, it’s essentially a blank canvas for brainstorming,
but it can be difficult to contemplate how to visually represent your ideas.
Microsoft is now adding more than 50 templates so it’s quicker to start jotting
down ideas, and there are new contextual reactions for instant feedback from
colleagues.
All of these product changes are influenced by Microsoft’s own research data
from more than 30,000 people at businesses around the world. Microsoft’s latest
work trend index data provides insight into employee thoughts on hybrid work.
“We are seeing from our data that over 50 percent of people are more likely to
prioritize health and wellbeing over work than before the pandemic,” says
Herskowitz. Microsoft’s data also reveals that 18 percent of people quit their
jobs last year, and many say work-life balance, flexibility, and wellbeing are
key over even salary considerations.
The problem for businesses now is to make offices worthwhile and to further
embrace flexible working. “Leaders need to make sure the office is worth the
commute,” says Herskowitz. Many will face the choice of attending an office when
it makes sense and otherwise working from home, so Microsoft’s changes to how
Teams functions will be a welcome improvement to ensure remote colleagues feel
just as important as those attending in-person.
Microsoft is now getting ready to show us how it will shape Windows for hybrid
work. The software maker is holding an event on April 5th that will focus on new
productivity and security improvements to Windows 11 that reflect the new
reality of office and remote work that many now face.
MORE FROM THE VERGE
* The first full NBA broadcast with volumetric video puts basketball in the
uncanny valley
* Google Home app gets much-needed redesign with interactive buttons
* Start11 brings back Windows 11 taskbar ungrouping
* BMW teases the upcoming i7 electric sedan — and its massive grille
* Microsoft’s first AI-powered smart camera launches for the Surface Hub 2
* Google Docs update lets you draft emails and send them to Gmail with a click
SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER VERGE DEALS
Subscribe to get the best Verge-approved tech deals of the week.
JUST ONE MORE THING!
Please confirm your subscription to Verge Deals via the verification email we
just sent you.
Email (required)
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Notice and European users agree to the
data transfer policy.
Subscribe
RECOMMENDED
* Shop Now
Amazing Physics Toys. yolugle
Ad is hidden
Please tell us why you hid this ad?
* Inappropriate
* Misleading
* Fake news
* Repetitive
* Irrelevant
*
Montreal: Unsold Caribbean Cruise Cabins Are Almost Being Given Away
All-Inclusive Cruise Deals | Search Ads
Ad is hidden
Please tell us why you hid this ad?
* Inappropriate
* Misleading
* Fake news
* Repetitive
* Irrelevant
*
Volodymyr Zelensky on why Ukraine must defeat Putin The Economist
Ad is hidden
Please tell us why you hid this ad?
* Inappropriate
* Misleading
* Fake news
* Repetitive
* Irrelevant
*
[Gallery] These Are The Wives Of The World's Richest Men Definition
Ad is hidden
Please tell us why you hid this ad?
* Inappropriate
* Misleading
* Fake news
* Repetitive
* Irrelevant
*
Most Canadians Didn't Know How To Block Ads (Do It Now) Safe Life Tips
Ad is hidden
Please tell us why you hid this ad?
* Inappropriate
* Misleading
* Fake news
* Repetitive
* Irrelevant
*
Oscars 2022: Best and Worst Dressed livingly.com
Ad is hidden
Please tell us why you hid this ad?
* Inappropriate
* Misleading
* Fake news
* Repetitive
* Irrelevant
Recommended by
LOADING COMMENTS...
Chorus
* Terms of Use
* Privacy Notice
* Cookie Policy
* Do Not Sell My Personal Info
* Licensing FAQ
* Accessibility
* Platform Status
* Contact
* Tip Us
* Community Guidelines
* About
* Ethics Statement
Vox MediaVox Media Vox Media logo. Advertise with us Jobs @ Vox Media © 2022 Vox
Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved
SHARE THIS STORY
* Twitter (opens in new window)
* Facebook (opens in new window)