According on the latest updates found in the Microsoft 365 Roadmap, two of the most-requested Microsoft Teams features namely the Outlook and "Together Mode", will have their general availability in the coming months.
A Microsoft logo is displayed at the MWC (Mobile World Congress) in Barcelona on March 2, 2022. by JOSEP LAGO/AFP via Getty Images
The first feature in the roadmap is the Calendar ''Show As in meetings'' which is already in Outlook's calendar but not in Teams. This will enable organizers and participants of a meeting to choose a "Calendar Show as Status" feature such as free, busy, or out of office (OOF) to reflect their availability for the scheduled meeting.
Furthermore, this outlook feature will let organizers select a private meeting functionality which will allow users to keep the meeting details private from other users when their calendar is shared.
The second feature in development will allow the organizer and presenters to start the meeting in ''Together Mode'' for all the participants.
Microsoft Teams users have been adamant in requesting a "Show As" option since the pandemic forced people to work in the comfort of their homes. The lack of this feature has made it difficult for workers to meet key deadlines since they are unable to edit their Teams' status once their outlook availability is set.
Screenshot from Microsoft 365 Roadmap
However, the update has only been added to the roadmap last April 13. The general availability of this feature is expected to roll in June, which will be available for Mac and Desktop users only.
Microsoft has responded by adding an update that will set Together Mode as the default view for all persons in the meeting. This feature is beneficial for organizers because it will lessen the burden of organizers to tell every participant to switch to Together Mode.
The update was added to the roadmap last April 15, and Teams users are expected to enjoy this feature next month for Mac and Desktop users as well.
More Updates to come
According to the "Teams and Surface Devices section" of Microsoft's Roadmap, three updates are in development, two features are beginning to roll out, and six fully developed updates were already made available for applicable customers.
One of the two rolling-out features is the "Teams device store", which will be available in the US and Canada. The functionality enables direct procurement through the Teams admin center, where admins can discover, purchase, and provision Teams certified devices.
This feature is expected to extend its accessibility to other customers in the future.
