Microsoft Teams Milestones
Microsoft celebrated several significant milestones for Teams during its fiscal Q3 earnings call, demonstrating the platform’s continued growth and adoption.
One of the key achievements highlighted by CEO Satya Nadella was the surpassing of one million Teams Rooms, marking a significant milestone in enhancing hybrid meeting experiences.
Additionally, Teams Phone experienced substantial growth, with 20 million PSTN users reported, representing a nearly 30 percent increase compared to the previous year.
He emphasised the integration of AI-powered capabilities, such as automatic camera switching and speaker recognition, aimed at improving the quality and efficiency of hybrid meetings.
Despite the absence of specific monthly active user figures, Nadella reiterated the sustained usage growth of Teams, reflecting its increasing importance in the collaboration landscape.
The company’s overall financial performance, with total sales reaching $61.9bn and operating income rising by 23 percent.
Virtual Meeting Fatigue Study
The University of Galway conducted a study shedding light on the psychological impact of video conferencing, particularly the phenomenon known as “Zoom fatigue”.
Contrary to previous assumptions, the research revealed that seeing one’s own reflection during Zoom calls contributes significantly to feelings of exhaustion, affecting both men and women equally.
Professor Eoin Whelan, leading the research team, explained that the increased use of video conferencing platforms during the pandemic has highlighted the need to understand and address the factors contributing to meeting fatigue. The study, which involved EEG testing on male and female participants during live Zoom meetings, provided valuable insights into the neurophysiological aspects of virtual communication.
The findings suggest that turning off the self-view video could alleviate some of the fatigue associated with video calls. This simple solution holds promise for mitigating the negative effects of prolonged virtual interactions on mental well-being.
Korbyt Anywhere Integration with Webex
This expansion of Korbyt’s digital signage partnership with Webex aims to enhance communication and collaboration across diverse work environments, whether in the office, at home, or on the go.
The integration enables teams to manage all digital signage hardware through a single application, streamlining content scheduling and display on Cisco Desk or Rooms devices.
By providing a unified platform for managing digital signage endpoints, Korbyt enhances meeting room experiences and extends the reach of internal communications networks.
George Clopp, CTO at Korbyt, emphasised the transformative impact of integration on communication clarity and collaboration efficiency. The ability to leverage Cisco’s Webex devices seamlessly within the Korbyt ecosystem empowers organisations to maximise the utility of their network-connected screens, fostering greater engagement and productivity.
Google Workspace Interoperability
Google’s announcement of interoperability between its Chat service and Microsoft Teams and Slack marks a significant advancement in cross-platform communication for Workspace customers.
This feature, now generally available, enables seamless collaboration and messaging across different platforms, facilitating enhanced productivity and communication workflows.
Leveraging Mio’s interoperability solutions, Google Workspace customers can now communicate with colleagues and clients on other messaging platforms without barriers.
This capability addresses the growing need for interoperability in today’s interconnected workplace environment, where teams often rely on multiple communication tools to collaborate effectively.
The integration aligns with Google’s commitment to providing versatile and inclusive solutions for workplace communication. By offering interoperability with leading messaging platforms like Teams and Slack, Google Workspace enhances its appeal to businesses seeking flexible and integrated communication solutions.
The announcement coincided with Google Cloud Next 2024, where additional enhancements to Workspace, such as AI note-taking and translation capabilities in Meet, were unveiled.
