After a new update from the company, there could soon be no escaping Microsoft Teams in the virtual world either.
Microsoft aims to help workers around the world deliver the next generation of the industry through a series of updates to its HoloLens 2 augmented reality headset, one of which is the addition of its popular video conferencing service.
The update will bring HoloLens 2 full support for Microsoft Teams tools and features, including screen sharing, calendar coordination, and of course, live video calls and meetings.
HoloLens 2 Microsoft Teams
The introduction builds on the existing video call capabilities in HoloLens 2 with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Remote Assist combined with holographic step-by-step instructions in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Guides for support calls, product demos or remote inspections.
“Now they can do both at the same time with the latest version of Dynamics 365 Guides, which combines these two mixed reality apps into a single seamless experience,” the company wrote in a blog post (opens in new tab).
“Users can intuitively switch between process and collaboration activities, or do both at the same time. Easy access to the information they need and the people they are collaborating with is within reach, ensuring everyone can trade with confidence in the industrial metaverse .”
In the future, HoloLens 2 users will be able to call Teams users directly and join group meetings, which will now appear as a hologram in their space.
HoloLens 2 users can also view any content shared in Teams meetings and open a separate window for live streaming presentations or videos, if needed, which can then be adjusted and positioned as needed.
They can also browse and add Teams contacts to their calls, and check and review both their own and others’ calendars, with the ability to join Teams meetings directly from the calendar view, just like with a laptop or PC.
Those not wearing a HoloLens 2 headset will see the video feed from the point of view of the user wearing the device, similar to a GoPro video. In addition to video feeds, HoloLens 2 users can communicate via text chat and open any image or PDF sent on their display.
Using the mixed reality toolbar in Teams desktop also means desktop users can add 3D notes to a virtual display – so when they draw on their own screen, the ink is automatically added to the HoloLens 2 view.
The new updates are now available for HoloLens 2 users to install and use.
The news comes shortly after the US Army received its first shipment of 5,000 purpose-built Microsoft HoloLens headsets.
The new Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) units have been heavily adapted to the existing HoloLens 2 headsets and feature a heads-up display capable of showing high-resolution night, heat and soldier-worn sensor data – all powered by the Microsoft Azure -Cloud services.
