Microsoft Teams gained custom backgrounds, new Yammer app and more in April, here’s our recap

3 min. read

Published onApril 30, 2020

published onApril 30, 2020

Share this article

Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial teamRead more

The month of April is coming to a close, which means it is now timeto take a look backat everything that was new in Teams for the fourth month of the year. From background blur, features for video chats, new IT admin options, and more, here’s a look at everything that was added to Teams recently.

As always, we will be starting with the stuff you care about most: meetings and calling. On this front, Microsoft added a lot of features that helps Teams better compete with Zoom. These include an increase in the number of simultaneous videos in Teams, a Raise Hands features background effects, and more.

First off, Microsoftincreased the number of simultaneous videosin Teams meetings. It went up from 4 to 9, allowing users to get a better view of who is in the meeting stage. In addition, Microsoft alsoannounced a new raise hands feature, which allows meeting attendees to identify that they’d like to speak. This feature will be rolling out early next week.

Moving on, Teams alsopicked up a background effects feature, which lets you customize your video backgrounds with pre-selected images. As a result, it also became possible to“unofficially” set your own custom background, too. As for the mobile apps, Teams on iOS finally picked up the option to blur backgrounds, and live captions during meetings became available for iOS and Android versions of the Teams app.

The rest of the new features for calling in Teams includes a new ability to end the meeting for all participants. This ties in with a new option that lets meeting attendees share system audio in Team events, and record 1:1 chats. Microsoft also temporarily raised default limits until July 1, 2020 for live events hosted in Teams, Stream, and Yammer. This is designed to support organizations impacted by the Coronavirus.

Looking at just the new chat features,Microsoft finally introduceda long-promised new Yammer app for Microsoft Teams. This new app allows users to enjoy the Yammer experience right inside Teams, and stay connected with what’s happening across their organization. Finally, there are some new badges for the praise feature in Teams. Courage, Oprimisigm, and Inclusive, these badges are themed for those who really are making a difference in these challenging times.

Although the bulk of the features this month were for end-users, IT Admins also got some new stuff to play with. For one, a new Meetings dashboard in the Microsoft Teams admin center was introduced. This dashboard provides insights about usage, user feedback, health, meeting details, devices, and more from one central hub. Microsoft says this feature will be coming soon.

Other features wrapping up the month include the ability to Improve voice quality with local media optimization for direct routing, and more ways for admins to control profile picture settings on Teams. Smaller features include batch policy assignment and some more ways to control meetings, such as lobby settings. There also was the introduction of new analytics and reports experience for the admin center. Microsoft says this will provide administrators insights into the usage of Teams apps in their environment allowing them to manage risk and make informed decisions.

Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time).

For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web.

Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they’re looking for.

User forum

0 messages

Sort by:LatestOldestMost Votes

Comment*

Name*

Email*

Commenting as.Not you?

Save information for future comments

Comment

Radu Tyrsina

With KB5043178 to Release Preview Channel, Microsoft advises Windows 11 users to plug in when the battery is low#

Copilot in Outlook will generate personalized themes for you to customize the app#

Microsoft will raise the price of its 365 Suite to include AI capabilities#

Death Stranding Director’s Cut is now Xbox X|S at a huge discount#

Outlook will let users create custom account icons so they can tell their accounts apart easier#

Microsoft Teams gained custom backgrounds, new Yammer app and more in April, here’s our recap#

With KB5043178 to Release Preview Channel, Microsoft advises Windows 11 users to plug in when the battery is low

Copilot in Outlook will generate personalized themes for you to customize the app

Microsoft will raise the price of its 365 Suite to include AI capabilities

Death Stranding Director’s Cut is now Xbox X|S at a huge discount

Outlook will let users create custom account icons so they can tell their accounts apart easier

Microsoft Teams gained custom backgrounds, new Yammer app and more in April, here’s our recap