Messenger: Microsoft retires Teams' "Together Mode"

Microsoft is retiring the “Together Mode” from Teams, a display format introduced during the coronavirus pandemic that was intended to improve digital collaboration. This was announced by Microsoft product manager Katarina Tranker in a blog post. She also announces there that the mode will be removed from Teams starting June 30. The primary goal is to ensure that meetings in Teams look more similar across different devices. Additionally, those responsible for development will be able to better focus on improving the video quality, stability, and performance of the messenger.

Less Fatigue

The “Together Mode” from Teams was introduced in early July 2020. It was one of several display formats for Teams meetings with multiple participants. Participants were no longer just cut out and placed against an alternative background but could be assembled into a common image. Options included seats in a lecture hall or the counter of a café. At its introduction, the company stated that its studies had found increased brainwave activity in test subjects who used the mode. The company suggested that this display format seemed to reduce fatigue and increase attention.

As part of the update now announced, the “Together Mode” will be removed from Teams; organizations that used it to represent their brand should instead use their backgrounds. In return, a modern gallery will be introduced, which will be automatically adjusted depending on the number of participants. The goal is better refresh rates and more uniform quality across devices. Reducing the choice of display formats is now intended to reduce cognitive load for participants, among other things, the product manager adds.

(mho)