Microsoft announces Mesh update, brings Avatar and Immersive spaces to the platform – Times of India

Microsoft has announced new updates for Mesh, its collaboration and communications platform. The update brings several new features, changes to the platform including Avatars, Immersive spaces and more. Here’s everything that the update brings to the company’s collaboration and communication platform.
What is Microsoft Mesh
Microsoft Mesh is a platform that powers shared immersive experiences, offering the flexible workforce a more natural way to connect with a sense of co-presence and reduce the financial burden and environmental impact of travel and facilities.
Microsoft Mesh receives and update: Rollout details
According to the Microsoft blog, Avatars for Microsoft Teams is rolling out to general availability in phases starting this week. The feature will be available to Microsoft 365 Enterprise E3, Microsoft 365 Enterprise E5, Microsoft 365 Business Standard, Microsoft 365 Business Premium, Teams Premium customers.
Immersive spaces for Microsoft Teams is in private preview and is available for Teams Technology Program (TAP) customers.
The Mesh platform is available in private preview. Interested organisations and developers can register their interest.
Microsoft Mesh receives and update: What’s new
The update brings Avatar to Mesh. According to the company, Avatars are an expressive and engaging alternative to the current binary options of video or no video in Teams meetings. These avatars are customisable as well.
Apart from that, the update brings immersive spaces to Teams. The feature adds a natural co-presence and togetherness to meetings. This allows users the feel of physically walking over to someone or engaging in multiple conversations without interruptions. The feature also supports spatial audio and users can use this via PC or VR headset.
The Immersive spaces also allows organisations to build custom applications featuring environment designed to build connections between employees such as social gatherings, employee onboarding, townhalls, and more.