Microsoft Teams reintroduces the Metaverse experience through Immersive Events: A look at the upcoming features

Microsoft Teams reintroduces the Metaverse experience through Immersive Events: A look at the upcoming features

Microsoft Teams has rolled out a new feature that allows organizers to host interactive 3D virtual experiences in customizable environments for up to 300 attendees [1][5]. This innovative development aims to boost engagement in hybrid and remote work scenarios by blending virtual reality elements with traditional meeting features.

Key Features of Microsoft Teams Immersive Events

The immersive events in Microsoft Teams offer a host of engaging features:

• Custom 3D environments: Users can choose from ready-made or customizable immersive experience templates with 3D models, logos, text, images, and videos [3][5].
• Avatars and spatial audio: Attendees interact as avatars, and spatial audio allows users to hear others better by moving closer virtually [1][5].
• Event interactivity: Organizers can highlight their avatar, bring attendees to a virtual stage during Q&A, and observe crowd reactions [1][5].
• Integrated with Teams calendar: Scheduling and management use the familiar Teams calendar interface [3][5].
• Up to 300 attendees: The feature supports medium-sized virtual conferences and all-hands meetings [1][5].
• No extra app download: Accessible directly within the Teams client [3][5].
• Requires Teams Premium license: Scheduling immersive events needs Teams Premium (around $10/user/month), while attending is free [1][3][5].

Steps to Organize (Schedule) an Immersive Event in Microsoft Teams

1. Open Calendar in the Teams desktop app (PC or Mac).
2. Click the dropdown arrow next to New event.
3. Select Immersive event.
4. Fill out the scheduling form with event details, co-organizers, and attendees.
5. Choose an Immersive experience template—this sets the 3D space and cannot be changed after saving.
6. Click Save and send invites; the event will appear in your Teams calendar, and invites will be sent.
7. Optionally, customize the banner image for the event invitation email.
8. If scheduled more than 10 minutes in advance, you can further customize the event via More actions > Customize in immersive[3][5].

Available Environments for Immersive Events

Microsoft Teams offers three different environments for immersive events: Cascades, Oasis, and Canvas.

• Cascades: A virtual stage with tiered seating, ideal for presentations and featuring a social area with icebreaker activities.
• Oasis: A virtual conference room for larger team meetings.
• Canvas: A plain room designed for creators and hosts to customize the space [2].

This new feature from Microsoft Teams is part of their growing commitment to the metaverse concept, following Facebook's parent company rebranding to Meta in 2021 [4]. Tech giants, including Facebook (now Meta), have been racing to roll out virtual environments, known as the metaverse, allowing people to interact digitally or mix virtual reality and actual reality.

[1] https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/microsoft-teams/immersive-events [2] https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/microsoft-teams/immersive-experiences [3] https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/schedule-an-immersive-event-in-teams-bf70972a-0e83-404c-8c5e-c3b769e21c5a [4] https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-59068460 [5] https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/microsoft-teams/immersive-events-faq

1. Microsoft's immersive events in Teams, designed for up to 300 attendees, provide an array of interactive features, including customizable 3D environments and avatars.
2. The new Teams feature aims to bolster engagement in remote work scenarios by blending virtual reality components with traditional meeting features.
3. Hosts can schedule an immersive event via the Teams Calendar, choosing from three available environments: Cascades, Oasis, and Canvas, which offer different configurations for presentations, team meetings, and customization.
4. With this technology, Microsoft is stepping further into the metaverse concept, following in the footsteps of tech giants like Meta, who have been developing virtual environments for digital interaction.
5. While the immersive events feature requires a Teams Premium license, attendee participation is free, making it accessible for a wide range of users.
6. To accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence in the workplace, Microsoft continues to invest in emerging technologies like immersive environments for remote collaboration and decision-making.

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