Microsoft news recap is a weekly feature highlighting the top Microsoft news stories of the past week. Sit back, grab some coffee, and enjoy the read!
Apple points the finger at Microsoft as its legal battle with Epic Games continues
As the legal battle between Epic Games and Apple rages on, Apple has started to point the finger at Microsoft, and has requested that the testimony of Xbox’s Lori Wright be discarded.
Nintendo is trying to keep some Microsoft info from the Apple vs Epic trial secret
Whilst on the subject of Epic’s legal fight with Apple, Nintendo has jumped into the mix to request that some information on communications between itself and Microsoft be redacted, as it contains “competitively sensitive information”.
Class action lawsuits in Illinois question Microsoft and Amazon’s facial recognition tech
Microsoft, alongside Amazon, faces class action lawsuits in Illinois over their facial recognition technology. The lawsuit claims that both companies have failed to get informed consent from residents before collecting, storing, and analysing biometric data.
Microsoft shuffles executive chairs ahead of global sales and commercial business reorg
Microsoft is planning a reorganisation of its Global Sales and Commercial business. One of the first moves expected is for Judson Althoff to lead the reorganisation from 1st July, an 8-year veteran, instead of Jean-Philippe Courtois, who was previously expected.
This week in Microsoft Teams
Microsoft shares its vision of the future of Teams meetings and hybrid work
Microsoft has provided some resources to help companies transition to a hybrid working model, and giving insight into what it sees as the future of Microsoft Teams meetings.
Microsoft Teams displays and desk phones will soon let users join Zoom and Webex meetings
Joining Zoom and Webex meetings will soon be possible through Microsoft Teams displays and desk phones, opening up the platform to allow you to connect to meetings with those who may be using other services.
Microsoft Teams is getting a mobile-optimized Large Gallery layout for meetings
The Microsoft Teams mobile apps are to receive a mobile-optimised Large Gallery layout for meetings, allowing you to swipe up to see up to 49 participants. The feature is expected to be released in June this year.
Microsoft Teams public preview adds option to Spotlight up to 7 participants during meetings
The Spotlight feature in Microsoft Teams allows you to pin a single participant’s video feed. In an evolution of that, a new update, in public preview, will allow up to 7 participants to be pinned at once, helping you choose which video feeds to always keep in view.
Microsoft Teams will support custom-made Together Mode scenes for more fun meetings
Microsoft is planning to add custom Together Mode scenes to Microsoft Teams in June, allowing for a more customised experience, rather than relying on the pre-made backgrounds that are currently available.
Microsoft Teams meetings now let organizers disable attendee’s video
Organisers of meetings can now disable the video feeds of attendees, by preventing cameras being turned on, either before a meeting, or during.
Microsoft Teams for personal accounts, with consumer friendly features, is now generally available
A consumer-friendly version of Microsoft Teams is now generally available, alongside some new features that are designed for personal users. Included are emoji reactions, to GIFs in video calls, and more.
That’s it for this week. We will be back next week with more Microsoft news.
