Microsoft announced yesterday that it is going to bring new features to its business messaging app Microsoft Teams to celebrate its first anniversary. Microsoft Teams also announced that the business communication app is now used by over 2,00,000 organization throughout the world in 39 languages. The figure is up from 1,25,000 organizations in September 2017.
Microsoft’s rival Slack, on the other hand, has over 6 million users worldwide and more than 50,000 teams paying for its premium version of the app. Slack has, however, not released any updates to its app for a long time. Coming to the new features of Microsoft Teams, it is set to include cloud recognition with face recognition as well, inline message translations, Cortana integration for Teams enabled devices, proximity detection to aid teams meetings, background blur capabilities and easy mobile sharing options.
The features will be enabled in the Microsoft Teams app later this year. Apart from that, Microsoft is working with several calling and meeting device manufacturers to expand the compatibility of its app.
With the new inline message translation feature, employees will be able to converse and message each other in different languages by using the translation feature of the Microsoft Teams app. Apart from that, Cortana will also get support for IP phones and conference room devices after its integration in the Teams app. The cloud recognition feature will enable users to record meetings and conversations with just one click in a cloud-based platform, which can be retrieved later for listening. Microsoft is also set to integrate facial recognition for better security of the employees using the app.
Additionally, Microsoft will also add support to Surface Hub all-in-one team collaboration machines. Microsoft is also in talks with Lenovo and HP to enhance the audio and video experience of the Microsoft Teams users. Microsoft will also partner with some mobile equipment manufacturers to integrate the app on their devices.
