That’s right, we’ve got another one, as Microsoft Teams has announced some new features that seriously improve the messaging experience across the collaboration platform.
Microsoft has been on a mission in recent years when it comes to building and improving on its Team platform. Particularly since the start of the pandemic when remote work became more prominent, Microsoft Teams has been a frequently updated business tool in hopes of competing with other collaboration platforms on the market.
As it happens, one of those updates is around the corner, and it will bring with it some features aimed at making messaging a bit easier for coworkers.
New Features Coming to Microsoft Teams in August
As discovered on the Microsoft 365 Roadmap, the Washington-based tech giant appears to be rolling out some messaging-focus updates to its popular Teams platform. The goal appears to be a launch in August for the features, which include:
- Intelligent translation – Microsoft Teams will prompt you to translate messages that are not in your default primary language on the Android and iOS apps.
- Shared content in pop out window – Show shared content in a different context with a new pop out window during meetings for web, desktop, and Mac users.
While the Microsoft 365 Roadmap is far from a guarantee that updates will come to the Teams platform, previous reports have resulted in many real-life updates like parent-teach conference features, easier e-sign functionality, and small business offerings.
Is Microsoft Teams Good for Businesses?
Any platform that gets updated this frequently and this significantly should be considered a solid option for any business. Microsoft has built up a reputation for responding to customer feedback and improving its many platforms, particularly Teams, which makes it a go-to option for many businesses looking to collaborate more effective. Heck, Microsoft even provided some tips to help business host more effective hybrid meetings, a valuable resource for any company that’s just started wandering into the world of remote work.
Subsequently, we’ve found that Microsoft Teams is an excellent choice when it comes to web conferencing and team collaboration. It’s free, comes with a lot of features, and has excellent customer support. Plus, it integrates seamlessly with the rest of the Microsoft 365 platform, which could act as an all-in-one hub for most of your business operations.
We don’t believe it’s the best option out there, however. Google Meet is our top choice for businesses looking to keep in touch with their remote employees, with Zoom representing an equally valid option for small business. Take a look at the table below to see how they all match up against each other:
| Price from The lowest starting price for a paid plan. The lowest price available for your business will depend on your needs. | User rating Average rating given by iOS and Android users in App Store and Google Play Store reviews | Best for | Pros | Cons | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| RingCentral | Microsoft Teams | GoTo Meeting | Zoom | Webex | Zoho Meeting | Lifesize |
| 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.0 | 3.2 |
| Security | Microsoft 365 users | Sound and video quality | Beginners | Larger businesses | Value | Users that need hardware |
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