Published 26 October 2022
This month we cover system updates, feature retirements, and features generally available across the Microsoft 365 suite. The first few updates cover Microsoft Bookings – if you are not leveraging this app as part of your subscription contact us to see how we can help.
1. Microsoft Bookings: Old Web Version Retiring
What’s new?
The new Web version of Microsoft Bookings will become the default experience for users as they will no longer have the option to switch back to the older version.
Why is this important?
To keep the user experience consistent across the Web and App versions, if your organisation has users who use the old Web version, they will automatically be migrated to the new version after 14 November, 2022. It is expected there will be no impact or loss of any data.
When is it coming?
This change will be effective Monday 14 November 2022.
2. Microsoft Bookings: Mobile App Retiring
What’s new?
The mobile application of Microsoft Bookings will no longer be available to download for new users from 1 December 2022 via the Google Play and Apple App stores.
Why is this important?
Microsoft have announced they will be “investing our resources on improving the mobile web experience of Bookings”. Users who currently have Bookings downloaded will still be able to use the App but will not receive any support or updates.
If you have employees using the mobile app, this may pose as a future security risk for your organisation. Microsoft recommendation is to access Bookings via the web browser at https://book.ms/. Following this, we strongly recommend creating a change management strategy to ensure a smooth transition for your users.
When is it coming?
This change will be effective Thursday 1 December 2022.
3. Microsoft Bookings: Three new and upcoming features
What’s new?
- Capture potential customer leads using the Microsoft Bookings connector with Power Automate
- Engage with your clients after the appointment by enabling, configuring and scheduling post-appointment reminders for follow-up consultations
- M365 tenant admins will soon be able to manage the naming policy of all Bookings pages within the organisation including configuring a prefix and suffix for the pages
Why is this important?
If use Bookings these upcoming capabilities are fantastic improvements to the native Microsoft 365 app by helping you provide a better end-user experience and make work easier for your Bookings Admins. Further information on these new features can be found here.
When is it coming?
Coming soon – no timeline provided yet.
4. Microsoft Teams: Speaker Coach in Teams Meetings
What’s new?
Become better, more confident presenters by leveraging Speaker Coach to rehearse your presentation, speech or demonstration and receive private, real-time feedback. Examples of feedback includes speaker pace, use of monotone pitch, use of filler words, poor grammar, lack of originality, use of sensitive phrases, and more.
Why is this important?
Enabled by default, this feature uses artificial intelligence (AI) to provide private, personalised feedback on your speaking and presentation skills. Feedback can be provided both real-time and post-meeting in a summary report. Additional information on Speaker Coach can be found here.
When is it coming?
Note: Speaker Coach is available in Preview, however rollout commences mid-August (previously early July) with expected completion by late October 2022 (previously late September).
5. SharePoint: Private drafts for SharePoint pages and news
What’s new?
Create and edit content by leveraging private drafts for your SharePoint site page and news posts.
Why is this important?
Before sharing a news article or publishing a site page, work directly in SharePoint by creating a private draft. When a private draft is created, only the creator and site admins will be able see the page, including from within the Pages library. Additionally, the page creator can then share the draft for review with other people by granting them edit access. They will also have access to the assets associated with the page which are stored in the site’s assets library.
This will not affect the current viewing and editing format – only one person at a time can edit the draft. When the draft is published, its permissions are reset and everyone in your organisation who has access to the site will be able to view it. Additional information on this feature can be found here.
When is it coming?
Note: Targeted release rollout begins early August with an expectation for all customers to receive this update by mid-November 2022 (previously mid-September).
6. Microsoft Teams: Teams Calendar Now Includes Scheduling Form Pop-Outs
What’s new?
In a Teams calendar, users will soon be able to pop-out an existing meeting using the pop-up icon in a Teams calendar scheduling form.
Why is this important?
As part of Microsoft’s commitment to provide a better, more seamless user experience, this update will enable users to simultaneously view multiple meetings in separate windows, check their Teams messages or view meeting details when creating a new meeting that have similar context.
When is it coming?
Rollout commences mid-October with expected completion by late November 2022.
7. SharePoint: Site sharing e-mails will now send from the sharing user’s mailbox
What’s new?
If a user who is sharing a SharePoint site has an Exchange mailbox, the mail will come from their e-mail account instead of no-reply@sharepointonline.com.
Why is this important?
This update is imperative to promote and improve delivery success whilst providing a similar sharing experience across the other Microsoft platforms.
When is it coming?
Rollout is currently in progress with expected completion by late October 2022.
8. Yammer: Storyline in Microsoft Viva Engage
What’s new?
Storyline is a new way for people to share, connect, and contribute to their organisation through Yammer and the Viva Engage app.
Why is this important?
This new feature allows everyone within your organisation to share updates, experiences, and enables your leaders to reach and engage employees. Keep your employees engaged and connected with the right tool that will amplify their impact across the organisation and help build their personal networks.
Once rolled out in your tenant, Storyline will be on by default. This means that all your users that have access to Viva Engage and Yammer will have access to this feature and they will be able to post to their storyline page and view posts from other users.
Note: Guests will not have access to Storyline.
When is it coming?
Previously introduced in last month’s M365 updates, Storyline is now generally available. Rollout commences mid-October with an expected completion date by late October 2022.
9. Updates Available for Microsoft 365 Apps for all channels
What’s new?
Microsoft have released updates to the following update channels for Microsoft 365 Apps:
- Current Channel (read release notes here)
- Monthly Enterprise Channel (read release notes here)
- Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel (Preview – read release notes here)
- Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel (read release notes here)
Why is this important?
It’s important to have the latest updates as it may include new features or fixes to bugs that may have affected you or your colleague. If your Microsoft 365 Apps are configured to automatically update from the Office Content Delivery Network (CDN), then no action is required. If you manage updates directly you can now download these latest updates and begin deployment.
When is it coming?
Gradual rollouts commence Tuesday 11 October 2022.
10. October 2022 security update available for all supported versions of Windows
What’s new?
Devices using Windows 11 and supported versions of Windows 10 have system updates that include miscellaneous security improvements to internal OS functionality addresses issues that cause updates to the Microsoft Store to fail, and more.
Why is this important?
Keep your device(s) up-to-date with the latest features and security/operating system updates. Find out what else is included in this update by watching this summary video.
When is it coming?
Take action now – update your device.
