Enhance Your Microsoft Teams Experience with Customizable Avatars and Reactions

-

 Are you tired of constantly having your camera on during Microsoft Teams meetings? Introducing customizable avatars and reactions, a new way to represent yourself and communicate in a more comfortable and engaging manner, while reducing video fatigue.



Break free from video constraints

With the public preview of Avatars for Microsoft Teams, users can now enjoy a much-needed camera break while still collaborating effectively. This alternative to the traditional video or no video option helps include more people in the conversation, regardless of their location, time zone, or comfort level with video. According to Microsoft's research, while video usage is highly correlated with meeting participation, inclusiveness, and effectiveness, only around 30% of participants have their video on. Avatars for Teams offers a solution to this challenge.

Create and customize your avatars

To create your avatar, simply access the Avatars app through the Teams App Store, pre-join screen, or in-meeting More menu. Customize your avatar's physical appearance, wardrobe, and accessories with hundreds of combinations. Save up to three avatars for various meeting types, such as casual, professional, and day-to-day settings.



Enhanced non-verbal communication

Enhance your non-verbal communication with animated emoji reactions that your avatar can mimic. For example, when you use the raised hand reaction, your avatar will also raise their hand. This feature provides a more dynamic and engaging way to express yourself during meetings, making interactions more lively and enjoyable.

Inclusivity and accessibility

Avatars for Microsoft Teams also offers additional customization options, such as bindis and hearing aids, demonstrating Microsoft's commitment to inclusivity and accessibility. This allows users to represent themselves more authentically, fostering a sense of belonging within the workplace.

Improved performance and lighting

The new lighting system in Avatars for Microsoft Teams has improved performance and enhanced the appearance of avatar skin and hair, making them appear more realistic. This is just the first step towards even more realistic avatars in the future.

Managing the Avatars app

Prepare for the rollout of Avatars for Microsoft Teams by managing the app like any other within the Teams admin center. You can find more information on managing apps in the Microsoft Teams admin center on Microsoft Learn.

Feedback and rollout

Microsoft encourages users to provide feedback on features in the public preview or other areas of Teams directly from the client via Help > Give feedback. Avatars for Microsoft Teams began rolling out to public preview in late March, with a targeted release expected to be completed by early April. The standard release is planned for May, and any changes will be communicated via the Message Center.

Begin enjoying a more engaging, inclusive, and effective meeting experience with customizable avatars and reactions today, and make your Microsoft Teams meetings more dynamic and personal.

Location: London, UK

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Understanding Microsoft Teams Room Licence Changes Coming July 2023

-
Image
The upcoming months are going to bring some significant changes to how we license Microsoft Teams Rooms, with Microsoft rolling out new licensing requirements effective from July 1, 2023 . Understanding these updates and how they impact your business is crucial for the smooth continuity of your Teams meetings. In this article, we're going to guide you through these changes and provide you with the information necessary to keep your Teams Rooms operating seamlessly post-July 1, 2023. An Overview of the Changes Starting July 1, 2023 , Microsoft will necessitate procuring and provisioning either a Teams Rooms Pro or a Teams Rooms Basic license to continue using your devices with Teams meetings. However, it's essential to note that the Hub will still function as normal without the Teams meetings functionality. Moreover, these new licensing requirements won't affect users signing into Surface Hub to access Microsoft 365 accounts or personal files. Moreover, those who have activa
Read more

Microsoft Teams Elevates External Collaboration with its New Feature Rollout

-
Image
  Microsoft Teams is once again set to revolutionize business communication with a promising new feature for external collaboration. This update is geared towards providing organizations an effortless way to capture and manage external collaboration requests on shared channels. With a significant focus on inter-organization collaboration, this update underscores the importance of seamless communication in today's global business environment. Set to rollout in early August, with completion expected by mid-August, the update will be available across the Teams admin center, Microsoft Teams Desktop, and Web versions. The feature is primarily designed to be a fail-safe mechanism when users attempt to add external members to a shared channel where a B2B direct connect cross-tenant trust has not been established between the two parties. How this Impacts Your Organization The integration of this new feature in your Microsoft Teams admin center will empower your organization to build a supp
Read more

Unveiling New Features in Microsoft Teams Admin Center: A Comprehensive Guide

-
Image
  Introduction In today's fast-paced world, keeping up with technological advancements is paramount. Microsoft Teams continues to be at the forefront of innovation, introducing new features that enhance user experience and streamline administrative functions. This blog post delves into the latest updates, providing insights to maximize their utility. 1. Teams Device Dashboard Overview : Microsoft Teams is rolling out a device dashboard that offers detailed information on device health and usage managed through the Teams admin center. This feature also includes data export capabilities, auto-sharing of insights, and alerts on vital metrics. Background : Unlike the previous Teams Admin Center which only provided current state information, this dashboard enables performance tracking over time. This comparative data provides valuable insights, enabling prompt action when required. Impact to Administrators : This update empowers administrators to monitor device performance directly from
Read more