Microsoft has announced that animated avatars are now available in its preview difference collaboration platform.
Via the Avatars app in the Microsoft Teams app store, Tech Access members can now design up to three avatars for use during meetings, and choose from a range of interaction gestures.
So-called Mesh avatars were first announced for Microsoft Teams in a file Blog Posts (Opens in a new tab) Written by John Roach, chief technology officer of the company’s digital advisory services, in November 2021.
Not avatars in the workplace
Network avatars allow greater freedom of expression in a file Hybrid work environment, with users being able to customize physical features, accessories and other aspects for themselves.
Microsoft’s release of the feature at its Ignite event reiterates its commitment to blurring the line Video conferencing software And the metaversewhich some business leaders believe is the next big development Collaboration tools After switching to hybrid work.
These spaces are designed around networked avatars that interact within a virtual space equipped with the tools teams need to collaborate, such as the blackboardAnd the Document storageand video conferencing software.
If Microsoft continues to develop metaverse-adjacent features for the Teams platform, it may be able to spoil its Meta plans for the sector with its own Horizon Workrooms metaverse.
Horizon Workrooms could be considered a less convenient proposition when faced with Teams, a video conferencing app that is already in use by many organizations and takes advantage of Microsoft 365 to merge.
Until then, organizations looking to try out the new network avatars but without access to the private preview version can sign up for updates at team site (Opens in a new tab).