We have all become accustomed to using Microsoft Teams over the last couple of years, but there is a development on the horizon that will take collaboration to whole new level called Microsoft Mesh.
So, what exactly is Microsoft Mesh for Teams?
Simply put, it's a way for you to collaborate with others in a virtual space as if you were all in the same room. You'll be able to see and hear each other, share files, and even work on projects together in real time, across different languages if necessary.
This is perfect for those times when you can't be in the same place as your team, but still need to work together on a project. Microsoft Mesh for Teams makes it possible to collaborate with anyone, anywhere in the world.
And best of all, Microsoft Mesh for Teams is built on top of Microsoft Azure, so you know it's reliable and secure.
The metaverse is the term used to describe the virtual world that Microsoft Mesh for Teams creates. It's a digital space where you can meet with others and work on projects together.
Is the metaverse overhyped? Microsoft's entry makes it real.
The Microsoft metaverse is not a new concept. It was first introduced in 2006 by Microsoft researcher Michael Gartenberg. And since then, the company has been working on making it a reality.
In 2019, Microsoft announced that it was working on HoloLens and Azure Cloud services to bring the metaverse to life. And now, Microsoft Mesh for Teams is the company's first step in making the metaverse a reality for businesses.
This video below from Microsoft provides a useful introduction to the concept of the metaverse and where Microsoft sees the world going:
Despite the buzz from technology giants like Microsoft, there is understandably some reservations about the future of the metaverse and potential consequences. We only have to look at social media and the unintended consequences that have led to social disorder in recent years. Crimson's group company, Nash Squared, explores whether we will feel secure enough to step into the metaverse in a blog written earlier this year. And Nash Squared's technology evangelist, Dave Savage, explores in his TechTalks podcast to figure out where the hype ends and reality begins around this new world.
When you use Microsoft Mesh for Teams, you'll see an avatar of the person you're working with. These avatars are based on the Microsoft HoloLens headset, so they are realistic and lifelike.
You'll be able to see what your team is working on from your avatar's perspective, and you can even interact with them.
Microsoft Mesh for Teams is currently in private preview, but it's expected to be generally available later this year and is shaping up to be an incredibly powerful tool for collaboration.