Microsoft Launches Shared Device Mode for its Mobile Productivity Apps

Microsoft announced this morning a couple of new Microsoft 365 updates targeting frontline workers. First of all, Microsoft is launching a preview of a new shared device mode that will simplify the usage of Microsoft 365 apps on shared devices in an organization.

“Retailers often supply mobile devices to frontline workers that need to be shared across employees and between shifts. Microsoft Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) shared device mode enables easy sign-in and sign-out for apps configured to support this feature,” explained Nicole Herskowitz, Vice President, Microsoft Teams.

On Android, the first Microsoft apps that will support this new shared device mode starting this month include Outlook, Edge, Yammer, and Power Apps. For iOS devices, IT pros will be able to configure shared device mode for Microsoft Teams via Intune starting next month. A preview of shared device mode support for the third-party endpoint management solutions SOTI and VMware Workspace One is also coming soon.

Last year, Microsoft made the Walkie-Talkie mode in Teams generally available, and this feature provides instant push-to-talk communication capabilities to frontline workers. Today, the software giant announced two new features for this Walkie Talkie mode: Prompt to join, which lets users automatically select the last channel in use, and transmission usage reports for IT admins.

Lastly, Microsoft is launching two new Outlook features in preview. With audience targeting, organizations can now send targeted emails to frontline workers by filtering recipients by job function, location, and department. IT pros can also set up group mailboxes to simplify communication between frontline teams.