Microsoft is preparing a couple of updates to the Teams collaboration platform that will help users customize their video streams to better meet their needs. According to two new entries in the company's product roadmap, Teams will soon allow users to hide their own video stream during calls and, conversely, pin it to the screen. The two new options will be tailored to different user preferences, Microsoft suggested. The ability to hide your own video feed is said to "help reduce distractions", while the pin power option allows users to position themselves next to their co-workers on the screen, if they wish. Both new features are still in development, but are expected to roll out to all users by the end of November.
Microsoft Teams update
Since the start of the pandemic, almost every professional has had to find a way to make video conferencing and remote collaboration work for them. Just as some prefer one medium over another (ie text chat over email), others also prefer to use each individual service in a particular way. In recognition of this fact, the major players in the collaboration space have made a concerted effort to give users as much control as possible over their personal settings. For example, Microsoft Teams now offers a variety of display options, including a massive gallery view for large-scale meetings. However, when it comes to user video streaming, Teams currently lags behind rivals like Zoom and Meet, which already offer users the ability to minimize and pin. Currently, the user's video is displayed in the bottom right corner no matter what. While the new additions may seem trivial on their own, they will contribute to an overall feeling of flexibility that Teams users are sure to appreciate.