Last Updated on February 17, 2024
News of the new Microsoft Windows 11 coming this fall created a lot of talks, especially when it comes to the new features it brings to the table. One major feature bundled with the Windows 11 version update is the integration of Microsoft Teams.
If you’re a part of the Windows Insider preview program, Microsoft has released the “Teams 2.0” (as Microsoft Teams CVP/CTO Rish Tandon would call it) client to select Windows 11 preview users.
But, as this is still an early build, you can only sign into Teams 2.0 using consumer accounts and will not work for Office 365 accounts. The chat feature is currently the only working feature at the writing of this blog entry, but audio and video call features are sure to come to later builds as we come closer to the release date of Windows 11.
Still, while this may seem like there is still a lot of work to be done until we can get a fully functional application like the current capabilities of MS Teams, it gives us a look at what Microsoft is developing and the direction that they want to take with this new update.
In this article, you can get an understanding of what to expect once Microsoft has released Windows 11 and how MS Teams is integral to the new system. And, who knows, maybe you can get a boost to your productivity when you try it out.
Table of Contents:
What’s new with Teams 2.0?
Since development is still undergoing for the application, this is not the complete list of what Teams 2.0 has to offer.
Here are some of the things that you can see on Teams 2.0:
Installation and User Interface
Teams installs quickly and its minimalist UI allows for basic functions, such as chatting with your contacts, viewing your calendar, and checking your activity feed.
A chat flyout is available immediately at the taskbar for quick access and chats notifications can be immediately replied to with the inline reply space provided. Unlike the current MS Teams, the Teams 2.0 app can change its window size and the interface also scales with it automatically.
Memory and Performance Efficiency
Teams 2.0 is now using Microsoft-controlled technology. This means that it is now built using a better and more performant system.
The current Teams is using Electron, a framework for creating applications that are also well known for taking up a lot of memory on your device, which is why this change is one to take note of.
Long-Awaited Features: Planned to Be Added
Features such as multiple accounts, improved PowerPoint integration, scale-up, and release predictability are among the few other features that will come out with the new release.
Teams 2.0 Will Start With Windows 11 Consumer Accounts
This might be disappointing to enterprise users. Still, this is just for the initial stages of the release. Once more user feedback has been gathered and development rolls forward, Teams 2.0 may become more readily available for Windows 11 users.
SMS Support for Teams
You can also join and interact on the chat even if you are a mobile/cell user. Adding contacts via the email address or phone number is also a viable option (even if they don’t have a Teams consumer account, they will be sent an email or SMS).
That about sums up the most recent update on the new Teams 2.0. The integration of Teams with Windows 11 is still under development and review so you can expect that more features are sure to be added.
Feedback and user experience from this preview release will be extremely helpful for Microsoft and is sure to improve any feature that will become available.
Any thoughts? If you have questions regarding Microsoft Teams and other related products, feel free to comment them down below or reach me directly through my contact page.
