Microsoft redesigns Office for web and app, brings new experiences

Microsoft redesigns Office for web and app, brings new experiences

office app update Microsoft

The Office app for Windows and web version Office.com are getting a refresh and bringing new experiences. Microsoft announces this at Ignite 2021 as part of reimagining Office and transforming for a hybrid world. With the redesign Microsoft says it will serve as a hub for your content, easily finding content and taking action.

Changes to the Office app include a new homepage with a Quick Access section and a set of Recommended Actions. It also has a new My Content page to easily search and filter content and a Create page with all apps and tools, plus templates from all the apps. Microsoft will roll out the new features and experience to users gradually over the next couple of months.

The enhancements we’re making to Office.com is to help you optimize your time and simplify your work. These updates make it even easier to find all the content associated with you, access your apps and templates in one place, take action quickly, and understand what work needs your attention.

What is new in Office desktop app and Office for the web?

Microsoft Program manager Alyssa Galvin takes you on a deep dive into all the new changes.

Check out what’s new on our YouTube channel. Subscribe to follow for the latest videos in the ecosystem.

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Microsoft ventures into the metaverse with Mesh

Microsoft ventures into the metaverse with Mesh

metaverse mesh for teams microsoft

Mesh for Teams is how Microsoft is planning to keep up with the Metaverse space. For Microsoft though, it will only mark the beginning of its Metaverse solutions which will cut across a host of its products. Mesh for Teams is an immersive 3D meetings experience enabled by the integration of Mesh and Teams. It is the next evolution of Microsoft’s mixed-reality product Mesh and collaboration tool Microsoft Teams. Preview will start rolling out in the first half of 2022.

Microsoft says Mesh will enable users to meet in traditional Teams meetings and immersive virtual spaces using personalized avatars. Using either a Personal Computer, mobile device, HoloLens or virtual reality headset. The avatars will enable participants to maintain a presence without turning on their cameras. Employees will also be able to collaborate using all of the Microsoft 365 productivity tools even in immersive spaces.

I can’t overstate how much of a breakthrough this is.

Satya Nadella

Microsoft metaverse, Mesh for Teams announced

Speaking at the Keynote event of Microsoft Ignite 2021, Satya Nadella, Microsoft CEO, announced the company’s plan on the metaverse space. Introducing two new solutions; Microsoft Dynamics 365 Connected Spaces and Mesh for Teams.

He noted that “as the digital and physical world come together we [Microsoft] are creating an entirely new platform layer which is the metaverse. The metaverse is not just transforming how we see the world, it’s changing how all of us
actively participate in it
“, he adds.

We are bringing people, places and things together with the digital world in both the consumers space as well as in the enterprise. When we talk about the metaverse we are describing both the new platform and new application types. We are building the metaverse platform for you to build upon.
In a sense, the metaverse enables us to embed computing into the real world and to embed the real world into computing, bringing real presence to any digital space.
I can’t overstate how much of a breakthrough this is. It’s no longer just looking at a camera view of a factory floor, you can be on the floor. It’s no longer just video conferencing with colleagues, you can be with them in the same room. It’s no longer just playing a game with friends, you can be in the game with them.

Satya Nadella

Microsoft says Mesh builds on the Together mode and Presenter mode features to keep meetings engaging and fun. It will roll out with a set of pre-built immersive spaces including meetings to social mixers. Organizations will get the opportunity to customize the spaces in future.

Facebook metaverse compared to the Microsoft metaverse

Check out what’s new on our YouTube channel. Subscribe to follow for the latest videos in the ecosystem.

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Here is what you should know about Microsoft Ignite 2021 March digital event

Here is what you should know about Microsoft Ignite 2021 March digital event

Microsoft Ignite 2021 digital event registration

Registration for Microsoft Ignite 2021 is opened and it will be a free digital-only event. It will be in the form of a 48 hour long virtual event available across all the time zones. The event will start from 4 PM GMT, 7 PM EAT, 6 PM SAT, March 2nd to March 4th 2021.

The event will have both live segments such as the keynotes and Q&A as well as already recorded content sessions.

To enjoy a total conference experience Microsoft advises you register as most sessions will require you to sign in. Registration will give you the ability to schedule your viewing events or sessions. It is also required to access the full learning experience including session content, attendee networking, and participation in the Cloud Skills Challenge. Others include featured sessions, deep-dives, learning and the connection zone.

However, sessions covered on the hero video such as the keynotes will not require you to be registered.

Featured speakers for the event include Satya Nadella, Microsoft CEO, Jared Spataro, CVP Microsoft 365, Mitra Azizirad, CVP, Microsoft AI and Innovation Marketing, Scott Hanselman, Partner Program Manager.

Click here to register and visit the Microsoft Ignite 2021 digital event page for more details.

Microsoft Ignite 2021 mixed reality experience

Microsoft is introducing a VR/AR experience at Ignite 2021. You can watch the keynote sessions using your mixed reality device. To do this, download AltspaceVR from the Windows Store, Steam Library, and Oculus Stores for Rift/Rift-S and Quest/Quest2. Launch the app and create an account through the Microsoft Account option (only Microsoft-linked accounts will have access to the event). The keynote session will appear in the main menu on the day of the event.

Last year Microsoft announced after Ignite 2020 in September that a digital event will take place in March 2021 and will showcase the latest technical announcements from Microsoft and Microsoft partners. The company also plans to host only digital events till July 2021.

Update February 24, 2021 3:15 PM: Added details on the introduction of a mixed reality keynote experience coming to Microsoft Ignite March digital event.

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Watch Microsoft Ignite 2019 livestream #MSIgnite

Watch Microsoft Ignite 2019 livestream #MSIgnite

Microsoft Ignite 2019 is here. The largest Microsoft annual event will host about twenty six thousand IT implementers, developers, partners, students and more. Taking place November 4th to 7th in Orlando Florida.

Join us follow the online viewing of Microsoft’s Ignite 2019 conference. Event starts at these times worldwide 9am ET, 2PM GMT, 5PM EAT and 4PM SAT. Check back for more details and announcements from the event as well.

Watch vision Keynote with Satya Nadella

There will be several breakout sessions and technical keynotes. Some streamed, others not, but will be available on demand after the event. Logging in to the tech community gives you access to all the session Visit the conference page to for more details.

Join the Ignite conversation online using the hashtag #MSIgnite. Also the Ignite conference will be going on the road again this year. Check out events planned for the Middle East Africa region here. With events in scheduled to take place in Johannesburg, Dubai and Tel Aviv.

Johannesburg, Dubai, Tel Aviv; Microsoft will host Ignite The Tour in these MEA cities

Johannesburg, Dubai, Tel Aviv; Microsoft will host Ignite The Tour in these MEA cities

Microsoft Ignite The Tour will take place in Johannesburg, Tel Aviv and Dubai in 2020.

Ignite The Tour

Microsoft’s annual technical training for developers and IT professionals conference, Ignite, will be hitting the roads again. Microsoft Ignite is going global and will be in a city near you next year. This will be after the main Ignite conference takes place November 4th to 8th 2019 in Orlando, Florida.

Like last year Microsoft promises to bring the same vibe to you during a two day event on this tour. Get to learn ways to build solutions as well as migrate and manage your infrastructure. Meet people in software development, security, architecture and IT. Get hands-on and deep dive experiences in areas such as security, cloud and hybrid infrastructure and development.

In the Microsoft Middle East and Africa region the events will take place in Johannesburg, Dubai and Tel Aviv.
The Johannesburg, South Africa event is scheduled to take place January 30-31, 2020. Dubai, United Arab Emirates, February 10-11, 2020 and April 22-23, 2020 in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Promising over 100 sessions the event will help you grow your skills, explore new technology and connect with Microsoft engineers. If you are planning to attend there will be so many topics and sessions you’ll need to tailor the experience to what you want to leave with.

Again I echo, dear Microsoft can we have some of these events across West, North and East Africa? Thank You. I think I have spoken the mind of a lot of developers and IT Pros in the region. Also with the launch of the Africa Development Center this should be a thing.

Head over to the Microsoft Ignite The Tour event pages of each city.

Registration links aren’t live yet for Dubai and Tel Aviv. We will update this post once this happens. Update: Links for Johannesburg and Dubai are live, click to register.

Johannesburg, South Africa 

Dubai, United Arab Emirates 

Tel Aviv, Israel

Have you had an experience at any Microsoft developer or IT Pro event? Share your experience with us. Looking forward to attending? Share your thoughts with us.