Avatars: New Feature to Microsoft Teams

Do you inwardly (or outwardly) sigh at the thought of yet another video call?

They’re now a normal part of our working lives, but it doesn’t make them any more exciting.

But we have good news:

Microsoft is introducing Metaverse-style avatars, called Mesh avatars, to Teams!

So what exactly are these? Mesh avatars are avatars that you’ll be able to design yourself, personalizing its appearance, accessories, and even choosing its reactions and gestures.

Microsoft knows that it’s common for us to feel stressed or exhausted after spending a long time on camera. So, using a virtual representation of yourself to reduce that stress is just one application for these new avatars.

Better still, you won’t need an expensive virtual reality headset either!

That’s because it’s all done using the Avatars app that’s available in the Microsoft Teams app store.

Big tech has been investing billions on developing the Metaverse, which is a 3D virtual world that mimics the real world.

Within it you’ll find many of the things you’re already familiar with – shops, workplaces, and even social spaces. Some are predicting it will become ‘the new internet’ in the coming years.

It might seem wild to imagine a virtual world. But of course, 20 years ago it was hard to imagine routinely having a mobile video calls with someone on the other side of the world.

Times change, and it can be pretty exciting.

Right now the new avatar feature is only available in the Teams preview build. Microsoft hasn’t given us a release date yet, but we expect it will be sometime soon.

Will you encourage your people to use personalized avatars in Teams? Or have you still not made the upgrade to Microsoft Windows 12? We can help. Just get in touch with us at Itechra.

Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.