Microsoft Previews Its New Consumer-Focused Features for Teams

Editor’s Note: an earlier version of this story referred to the new Teams features as a separate app. However, this is incorrect and Microsoft will be adding the new consumer-focused features to an existing app. The story has been updated to reflect Microsoft’s actual plans, and we apologise for the confusion.

Microsoft today introduced the world to its new consumer-focused subscription of Microsoft 365. And along with the new subscription, Microsoft is introducing new consumer-focused features for the Teams app.

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The app will soon include new features and experiences that are built for consumers for day-to-day use. It’s coming as a preview sometime this Summer, with a public launch expected later this Fall.

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“Teams isn’t just for work. You can now stay connected across your life in the Teams mobile app,” says the company. The new features are focused on helping families stay organised, and lets you track live locations of where your family members are (with options to opt-out), and more.

Microsoft will continue to keep Teams as a single app — so if you already have an account for work purposes, you will simply be able to switch between your personal and work accounts from the updated app.

You can also share information like passwords, reward numbers, and login information right from the app with your family and friends.

Those interested in the updated Teams app can register their interest here, as Microsoft plans on starting a preview program soon.

The new features for the Teams obviously compete directly with Microsoft’s own Skype app, but Microsoft essentially didn’t mention anything about what’s going to happen with Skype. The company did, however, announce some impressive new usage numbers for Skype.

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Conversation 20 comments

  • darkgrayknight

    Premium Member
    30 March, 2020 - 11:46 am

    <p>The register their interest here link just points back to the Thurrott.com article on Microsoft 365.</p>

    • Mehedi Hassan

      Premium Member
      30 March, 2020 - 12:05 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#535036">In reply to darkgrayknight:</a></em></blockquote><p><br></p><p>Thx should be fixed now</p>

  • everno

    Premium Member
    30 March, 2020 - 12:43 pm

    <p>Will this new Teams replace what we are currently using? Or will it run along side the current APP? I am using this on a Tennant for Education currently.</p>

    • rickeveleigh

      Premium Member
      31 March, 2020 - 4:47 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#535062">In reply to everno:</a></em></blockquote><p>This is separate.</p>

  • yoshi

    Premium Member
    30 March, 2020 - 1:46 pm

    <p>Getting other people to use it will remain my main problem. My entire group of friends and my family are all iOS. I'd have better luck getting them to pull all their own teeth out versus leaving iMessage.</p>

    • kd5hiy

      30 March, 2020 - 2:23 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#535112">In reply to yoshi:</a></em></blockquote><p>When I tell my teenager about this and how we might use it to try, he rolls his eyes and says just download snapchat [or whatever the latest thing is]. I have enough problem getting him to use WhatsApp or anything else also.</p>

      • proftheory

        Premium Member
        30 March, 2020 - 4:52 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#535116">In reply to kd5hiy:</a></em></blockquote><p>Any chance of getting him on DMR, DSTAR, or Echolink? Or maybe just a local repeater? I use them but none of my relatives are licensed. n2ohh</p>

      • behindmyscreen

        30 March, 2020 - 8:47 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#535116">In reply to kd5hiy:</a></em></blockquote><p>Maybe they will add connections so you can hook in your other chatting to the organization/communication features.</p>

      • youwerewarned

        30 March, 2020 - 10:26 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#535116">In reply to kd5hiy:</a></em></blockquote><p>Mid-eyeroll is when I drop their phone into the garbage disposal. Works instantly, every time.</p>

      • yoshi

        Premium Member
        31 March, 2020 - 8:09 am

        <blockquote><em><a href="#535116">In reply to kd5hiy:</a></em></blockquote><p>Yup. When Allo came out I tried to get them over to that, and was balked at. I mean, in hindsight, that's a good thing now. :)</p>

    • JCerna

      Premium Member
      30 March, 2020 - 6:01 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#535112"><em>In reply to yoshi:</em></a><em> Whats super funny is if apple would open imessage to all and added facetime etc they would kill the market because iphone users just dont budge easily. </em></blockquote><p><br></p>

  • joegasper

    30 March, 2020 - 2:34 pm

    <p>Kaizala integrations showing up.</p>

  • cmross

    30 March, 2020 - 3:38 pm

    <p>Having just used Zoom this past weekend for an extended family checkin, I'm very curious whether video conferencing will be allowed. Skype Video is a non-starter. I can't see anywhere that they're explicit about that feature being available.</p>

    • hansolo

      03 April, 2020 - 8:04 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#535141">In reply to cmross:</a></em></blockquote><p>Skype Video is a non-starter why?</p><p><br></p><p>enjoy all the zoom security flaws and leaks</p>

  • straker135

    Premium Member
    30 March, 2020 - 3:43 pm

    <p>Given how big a let down Skype has been since Microsoft acquired it, I wouldn't be surprised if they had plans to deprecate Skype and fold the core technologies into a more forward looking product such as within Teams. I cannot describe the disinterest or even disgust I see people display at any mention of Skype as a video meeting tool. </p><p><br></p><p>I have sometimes wondered how bad the management structure of the Skype team has been to allow it to so wither on the vine since its acquisition. Did the Skype Team consciously or unconsciously sabotage their own efforts, because Microsoft, or was it the lack of need for an independent drive to succeed once absorbed into the MS Mothership?</p>

    • Mark999

      30 March, 2020 - 7:27 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#535142">In reply to straker135:</a></em></blockquote><p>Yes. Zoom seems to be everywhere. </p><p><br></p><p>We teach computers to seniors and Skype was one of the easiest beginner things you could do on a computer. We don’t bother with it much now. Sad, really.</p>

    • maethorechannen

      Premium Member
      31 March, 2020 - 5:07 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#535142">In reply to straker135:</a></em></blockquote><p><br></p><p>I think the rot started after they were bought by eBay. </p>

  • behindmyscreen

    30 March, 2020 - 8:45 pm

    <p>This came about 20 years too late for me….all my kids are grown and life is way less complicated.</p>

  • IanYates82

    Premium Member
    30 March, 2020 - 9:56 pm

    <p>Country selection on the sign up page is rather restrictive… Australia not mentioned ?</p><p><br></p><p>At least I could pick "other" </p><p><br></p><p>We used to use the family room on the old windows phone a lot. </p><p>Now we use Skype to keep in touch as a family. This will be very useful – easier shared calendar, files, and passwords. A win for those already in the ecosystem, but unless there's a free tier I don't think they'll grow that much </p>

  • Philotech Mueller

    31 March, 2020 - 12:06 pm

    <p>To me, it looks like they are planning to build Teams as a communication hub for your personal life just like Outlook has been for your work life for the last two decades or so. Everything revolves around Teams, communication, planning, organization, just everything.</p><p>Obviously, it would need WhatsApp and Snapchat federation to become successful in it… ;-)</p>

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