(Credit: Microsoft)
You can now set up and host metaverse meetings directly within Microsoft Teams.
The new "immersive events" feature allows you to host other users in a 3D space where each attendee's avatar can explore, chat, and listen to speakers. Microsoft says it will help people "feel truly present" in their work calls.
First announced in July, immersive events are now rolling out to the full version of Microsoft Teams after months of testing, Neowin reports. They work on PC, Mac, and Meta Quest devices.
The new tool builds a 3D space for your meeting where each person can make their own avatar to explore and chat with others. Microsoft provides multiple pre-designed 3D environments for when you want to quickly schedule a call, or you can choose to edit each space adding in images, videos, brand logos, and more.
Other Teams features remain; invite people from your contacts, add events into your work calendar, and manage all attendees through the software's UI.
To start up a call, head to your Teams calendar and select New event. If you have a compatible version of Teams, you'll now have an option called Immersive event. From here, you'll be able to customize the environment, invite who you want to join, and more.
"Immersive events can help drive enhanced engagement and connection for your workforce across multiple points of interest in a single branded event with a tailored experience—ideal for all hands, showcases, company events, new employee onboarding, and trainings," Microsoft says.
The new feature means the brand is closing its previous metaverse tool called Microsoft Mesh. The platform shut down on Dec. 1, and Microsoft details how users can switch over to the new functionality in Teams in its blog post.