New Microsoft Teams feature ‘Together Mode’ reduces fatigue, makes meetings more engaging

New Microsoft Teams feature ‘Together Mode’ reduces fatigue, makes meetings more engaging

Together Mode Microsoft Teams office 365 feature update

To help make virtual meetings look natural as well as encourage more engagements, Microsoft announces ‘Together Mode’ in Teams.

With Together Mode, Microsoft uses AI segmentation technology to digitally place meeting participants in a shared background. Making participants feel like they are in the same room. The feature tries to imitate a real environment so much that participants can lean over and tap each other or make eye contacts.

It doesn’t use the traditional grid boxes, instead, Microsoft is introducing new environments. Starting with an auditorium view now and hopes to roll out new views in the future.

“People can now practice some of the social signaling they would do in real life.”

Microsoft notes that focusing on other people’s faces and body language is important to human interaction. This, research shows reduces the chances of experiencing fatigue during video meetings and interactions.

Here is a video of how the feature works.

Introducing Together Mode in Microsoft Teams

Today we’re announcing a set of new features in Microsoft Teams that make virtual interactions more natural, more engaging, and ultimately, more human“, shares Jared Spataro, Corporate Vice President for Microsoft 365.

It’s all about enabling people everywhere to collaborate, to stay connected, and to discover new ways to be productive from anywhere“, he continues.

The feature comes in a set of updates that will be rolling out to the Microsoft Teams collaboration solution. Other new features are dynamic view, video filter, live reactions, Cortana in Teams, chat bubbles and suggested replies.

Check out some of the new features in action.

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Microsoft announces winners of Remote Resilience Online Hackathon

Microsoft announces winners of Remote Resilience Online Hackathon

winners hackathon microsoft Africa middle east

Five solutions have been selected as winners of the Microsoft sponsored Remote Resilience Online Hackathon.

The hackathon organized by BeMyApp sought to unearth new innovations in remote work during this Covid-19 pandemic era. Inviting ideas from individuals and organizations across the Middle East and Africa region.

Easy Gas, an IoT solution emerged winners of the hackathon. Winning the 4000 USD first place price. Their IoT solution monitors gas levels, detects leakages and connects owners to vendors for refills and fixes.

HR SAM Remote Interview Specialist and Wazabi projects tied in second and third place. Projects Speechio and Cubicle came in fourth and fifth place respectively.

Business Group Manager Microsoft Azure Middle East and Africa, Julien Bertin announced the winners of the hackathon virtually. “Congratulations to the winning team and all the hackathon participants,” Julien shares. He notes it was a very difficult selection for the judges.

Remote productivity is a huge challenge and opportunity for the world these days. Developers are essential to build the right solutions to cater to our new reality.
Thank you for contributing your energy and creativity to help a better work environment for developers. We are looking forward to seeing you in our next event.

Find the full announcement and winners below.

To learn more about Microsoft’s developer activities in the region kindly visit https://www.cloudsociety.microsoft.com

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Amazon to host AWS Summit for Africa region

Amazon to host AWS Summit for Africa region

AWS Summit Africa

Amazon is bringing its Amazon Web Service (AWS) summit virtually to Africa on July 9. The multinational technology company will host a one-day virtual summit to help developers and technology enthusiasts take advantage of its recently launched AWS Africa region.

The event dubbed AWS Africa Region Virtual Day hopes to bring together the cloud computing community in Africa to connect, collaborate, and learn about AWS Cloud. It is targeted at both new and experienced cloud users with technical sessions available for all levels.

The event invitation reads, “Kick-start your journey to the AWS Cloud. Join us for a day of learning how to build on AWS!”

Keynote sessions will be led by Amazon CTO, Dr. Werner Vogels, and Sub-Saharan Africa General Manager, Michael Kogeler. Amazon shares there will be “14 breakout sessions across 3 tracks. A business executive track and 2 technical tracks“.

Visit event page to register to participate and for more details.

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Microsoft 4Afrika rebrands AppFactory initiative to SkillsLab

Microsoft 4Afrika rebrands AppFactory initiative to SkillsLab

Microsoft 4Afrika, Microsoft’s business and market development engine in Africa is rebranding its employability and capacity building programme, AppFactory to SkillsLab.

The SkillsLab programme will as before, develop digital skills, coding capabilities and workplace readiness of young university graduates. As well as give them priority access to jobs through the Microsoft Partner Network at the end of their training.

Seven years on, Microsoft notes the initiative has about 2073 graduates from 19 SkillsLabs across the Middle East Africa region. It also boasts of 85% employment rate achieved within three months of graduating.

Africa has a unique opportunity to be a skills hub for the world.

Amrote ABDELLA

“Outpacing the rate of change driven by emerging technologies, there is a need for nimble and continued learning opportunities that can derive tangible benefits” says Amrote Abdella, Regional Director, Microsoft 4Afrika.

“Through its skilling initiatives Microsoft aims to address these challenges by skilling and upskilling individuals to adequately seize these opportunities,” she continues.

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UNICEF, Microsoft launch Learning Passport in Jordan

UNICEF, Microsoft launch Learning Passport in Jordan

Learning Passport

UNICEF is bringing its Learning Passport platform powered by Microsoft to the youth of Jordan. To help them continue their learning and skills development at home amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The platform offers courses in advanced coding and software development, Microsoft Arabic digital literacy courses, life skills, social entrepreneurship and English language.

UNICEF Learning Passport is free and provides content in both online and offline formats. The launch in Jordan means it is the first version to be launched in Arabic and in the Middle East Region.

Through our partnership with UNICEF and The University of Cambridge on the Learning Passport, we are able to rapidly provide a locally-relevant remote learning solution. That ensures continuous access to education for millions of youth in Jordan says Roula Chehab, Microsoft Jordan Country Manager.

“At Microsoft, our priority has been to find ways for technology to improve people’s lives and bring the promise of technology to those who are most at risk of being left behind in this era of digital transformation.
Our focus includes closing the skills gap and ensuring that our solutions benefit all youth to become tomorrow’s leaders. Unlocking this potential for all students to learn through immersive and inclusive learning experiences.”

Roula Chehab, Microsoft Country Manager Jordan

Visit the learning platform to discover its resources jordan.learningpassport.unicef.org.

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