Microsoft just released Teams 2.0. Rebuilt from scratch, the new version of the video conferencing application promises significantly better performance on the computer with less system resources.
With the popularization of remote working after the Covid pandemic, video conferencing and collaboration software have become indispensable daily tools. In order to meet the high demand, they must be constantly improved in order not to be left behind by the competition. And Microsoft understood that well with Teams! On February 1st, the company launched a premium offering in the United States that offers more than 400 new features, including automated meeting summaries and presentation chapters with timeline markers using ChatGPT (see our article). At the same time, there were rumors about the upcoming launch of a new version of the software called Teams 2.0, which was rebuilt from the ground up and equipped with a brand new architecture.
Rumors that have become reality. Microsoft used its annual Enterprise Connect conference to confirm the launch of the Windows version, which will be available in public preview starting March 28, as announced in its press release. According to the publisher, Teams 2.0 significantly improves the use of computer system resources and brings with it no less than 59 new features. For now, only the Windows version will benefit from this new version, which should be available in other environments (macOS, web, etc.) throughout 2023.
Teams 2.0: a complete and streamlined overhaul
According to The Verge, Microsoft has started testing this new version of Teams at scale within the company and plans to release a preview to users in March. In development for years, this version 2.0 was announced at the end of 2021 with no further news after that – although many improvements have been made to the video conferencing software since then, especially on Windows 11.
©Microsoft
Users often criticize Teams for being slow to start and open a meeting, not to mention that the software tends to take up memory. Therefore, Microsoft has made Teams 2.0 twice as fast and half as resource intensive. So, according to the illustration video, it now takes 9.1 seconds to open the new version of the software, compared to 22.23 seconds before. In addition, it would use 50% less RAM and 70% less storage space, which should improve battery life on laptops when in use. Also, switching from one talk channel to another would be 1.7 times faster. These performance gains are due to the move away from Electron – a set of tools and software components used to develop desktop applications – to the newer Microsoft Edge WebView2 technology. Additionally, the Redmond-based company now uses the Javascript-based React library, which allows its developers to make UI improvements while accommodating users of entry-level devices and low-bandwidth Internet access.
©Microsoft
In fact, Microsoft has incorporated several new features aimed at making Teams easier to navigate. It is now possible to search for content directly in a conversation, get replies to a specific message in the form of a nested conversation (thread), or access suggested actions. Additionally, users with multiple accounts no longer need to log in and out to switch from one account to another as they can remain logged in to all accounts. You can therefore receive all notifications from all accounts in real time. Teams also allows you to replace the user during a video conference with a 3D avatar that is customizable in terms of clothing, accessories, and makeup. The interface design has also been overhauled with native materials like Windows 11’s mica translucency, making it look more like a native Windows app. Finally, Microsoft intends to later integrate other features with AI, including filters with animated images, the ability to change the hue of its video in presentations and the future inclusion of the famous Copilot assistant (see our article).