Published 26 June 2023
Getting to the pointy end of the financial year means it’s busier than ever. That’s why we’re spotlighting updates that make a direct impact to end users’ experience and productivity, read on to see what’s around the corner…
1. Microsoft Outlook: Video Messaging in Outlook Mobile
What’s new?
When reading an email that contains a video, unfurl the video link as a thumbnail that a user will be able to view in their full mobile screen with full screen playback.
Why is this important?
Available to both iOS and Android mobile devices, this feature will allow users to capture a video from their phone whilst in the Outlook Mobile app then seamlessly upload it to their email. Uploading the video will utilise OneDrive for Business and allow users to benefit from increased storage space and large limits for video size and length. Microsoft are also introducing Video Capture and Upload on Android where users will be able to capture a video on their phone within the Outlook Mobile app and seamlessly upload the video to the email being composed. Upload will leverage OneDrive for Business, allowing the user to share videos of large size and length with OneDrive.
When is it coming?
Originally scheduled for release on late May, rollout is currently underway and expected for completion by late June 2023.
2. Teams Admin Centre: New widget for unspent Azure consumption commitment
What’s new?
A new widget in the Microsoft Teams Admin Center will help IT admins view unspent Microsoft Azure consumption commitment (MACC) at a glance in which they can then utilise when making purchase of Teams apps that are Azure benefit eligible.
Why is this important?
Better leverage any unspent MACC your organisation may have with this new widget. Note that this feature will only be available to organisations that have an existing MACC agreement with Microsoft.
When is it coming?
Originally scheduled for full rollout by mid-June, the standard release rollout commences mid-June and has an updated expected completion by late June 2023.
3. Microsoft Teams: Wiki retirement and the future of notetaking in Teams Channels
What’s new?
With the retirement of Wiki’s from Microsoft Teams, users will be able to use OneNote within a Teams channels for any notetaking.
Why is this important?
OneNote provides a richer text formatting and more uniform, user, collaboration, and search experience consistent across the Microsoft 365 platform. To export all your current Wikis to OneNote, refer to Microsoft’s documentation here. Note that new channels will automatically come with a OneNote notebook.
When is it coming?
Wiki’s retirement has been planned in three stages and have been updated as such:
- Stage 1: (Scheduled for early March 2023) Users won’t be able to create new wikis, but they can continue to access (read/write) their existing wiki. Users also have the option to export their content to OneNote. Once users export their content to OneNote, the Wiki is available as read only. After exporting, each wiki in a channel appears as separate section in OneNote and each Wiki page will be a separate page in OneNote.
- Stage 2: (Scheduled for Mid CY23) Wiki tab in channel will not be supported; users will be easily able access (read/write) content in Wiki app. Users can also export their content to OneNote.
- Stage 3: (Scheduled for Jan 2024) Wikis tab and wiki App wouldn’t be able to accessible in Teams and users wouldn’t be able to export. Users can download their wiki files from SharePoint.
4. Microsoft Syntex: Prebuilt model for contracts
What’s new?
This feature will soon allow organisations to analyse contracts and extract common entities with Microsoft Syntex.
Why is this important?
Prior to the launch of the prebuilt contracts model, organisations had to create a custom model. With the release of this new built-in model, it will be able to analyse and extract key information you’re your contract documents. It will recognise contracts in various formats and extracts key contract information, such as client name and address, contract duration, and renewal date. The model can then be published to a document library to process contracts and automatically generate metadata, future-proofing the searchability of that file. Learn more about the upcoming feature here.
When is it coming?
Originally scheduled for full rollout by mid-May, the standard release rollout has already commenced and has an updated expected completion by mid-June 2023.
5. Microsoft SharePoint: Microsoft Lists Applied Filters
What’s new?
Microsoft Lists is rolling out a new way to visualize and clear the filters that are present in a view.
Why is this important?
In the current list view, you can add and adjust filters to narrow or expand what appears that view. With this update, you’ll now see which filters have been applied. Additionally, you can also remove them without going back into the column filter pane. To do so, simply select the top-left portion of your list.
When is it coming?
Originally scheduled for full rollout by late May, the standard release rollout has already commenced and has an updated expected completion by mid-June 2023.
6. Microsoft Outlook: Teams personal Tabs for Android and iOS devices
What’s new?
Teams personal tab apps that support Outlook Mobile and have been added in Teams, Outlook for Windows, or Outlook on the web, will automatically appear in Outlook for Android & iOS devices. We’ve combined these two feature releases from Microsoft as an easy way to compare the differences when this feature is eventually rolled out. (Hint: luckily the only difference is the timeline but the functionality will be same across the two platforms!)
Why is this important?
This feature will provide a better UX experience for those who are constantly on-the-go. In addition to the existing Mail/Calendar/Search modules, a new “More” button is present. This tab will be re-named to “Apps”. From this tab you can access Contacts, Files, and all your apps. The tab bar is completely customisable so you can make the most of how you use Outlook with functions to see files, contacts, pages and any Mobile-ready teams. Learn more about this update and how it closes out the major Outlook changes originally announced in October 2022 here.
When is it coming?
For Android: Originally scheduled for full rollout by late May, the standard release has already commenced and has an updated expected completion by mid-July 2023.
For iOS: Originally scheduled for full rollout by early July, the standard release rollout commences late June and has an updated expected completion by late July 2023.
7. Microsoft Teams: Collaborative Stageview
What’s new?
With this feature, users will able to share links and collaborate on content, right from within Teams as the app content opens in a new Teams window.
Why is this important?
Collaborative Stageview is a new type of Teams window that will allow users to engage with content and conversation, side-by-side. For apps that have built their experience for Collab Stage, it allows users to:
- Open their content from eligible adaptive cards directly into a new Teams window
- Engage with their app content in a large Teams canvas
- Continue the conversation from which they came, within the Collaborative Stageview side panel
When is it coming?
Originally anticipated to begin rollout in early June, rollout commences mid-June with expected completion by late June 2023.
8. Microsoft Authenticator: enabling number matching
What’s new?
This update will see all Authenticator users leveraging number matching is enabled for all Authenticator push notifications.
Why is this important?
Microsoft have introduced a key security upgrade to traditional second factor notifications in Authenticator as a way to prevent accidental approvals. This feature is critical to protecting against the ever-rising MFA fatigue attacks. This feature will see Authentication flows require users complete a number match when using the Microsoft Authenticator app. Please note that if the user is using a version of the Authenticator app that doesn’t support number match, their authentication will fail. Please make sure upgrade to the latest version of Microsoft Authenticator for both iOS and Android mobile devices. Learn more about how number matching works in MFA here.
When is it coming?
This has been rolled out globally for all users of the Microsoft Authenticator app. Ensure that your users have the latest version of Microsoft Authenticator for both iOS and Android mobile devices for a seamless sign-on experience and decreases risk of a successful security breach against your organisation.
9. Microsoft Teams: Animated backgrounds in Teams meetings
What’s new?
The dynamic background feature in Teams Meetings will allow users to replace their existing background with a dynamic animation for a more immersive virtual environment.
Why is this important?
Currently, only pre-defined backgrounds from Microsoft are supported. Animated backgrounds are identified by the small video icon in the bottom-left corner of the preview picture. This update will offer various options to enhance meeting experience with user-led creativity and personalisation in accordance to their preferences. Note that animated backgrounds are not available on low-end devices and require at least 8 GB RAM, CPU with 4 logical processors. To change to an animated background:
- Go to More in meeting toolbar BEFORE entering the meeting
- Select ‘Effects and Avatars’
- Select an animated background
- Join the meeting with your new and animated background
When is it coming?
Standard release commence in early July with expected completion by late July 2023.
Your Viva reminder…
A reminder that we’ve started a new blog series that breaks down Viva into bite sizeable chunks – much like our monthly M365 blogs! Read our May Microsoft Viva updates blog here.
It’s no secret we are one of the best when it comes to understanding your needs and how the Microsoft platform can reconnect, reinvigorate, and strengthen employee experience. Curious to know how Microsoft Viva can fast track your organisation’s digital strategy? Contact us to see how we can help.
Contact us