Microsoft Mesh: Makes Office 365 roadmap - news update

Microsoft Mesh makes the Office 365 Roadmap

Releases in October and November are landmark. 

Microsoft Mesh has officially made its debut on the M365 Roadmap, with key entries listed under Microsoft Teams. This is a significant milestone, so let's explore what's included.

With Meta Connect just around the corner, September 25th, there’s growing excitement about how similar innovations are influencing the tech landscape.

Microsoft Mesh’s integration with Teams signals future possibilities, much like what Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest Pro are achieving within the Meta platform. Both platforms are placing a strong emphasis on AI, business applications, and immersive experiences.

However, having Partnered heavily Microsoft and Meta are set to revolutionise the Enterprise Meeting Market as early as next month.

Having Partnered with:

1. Meta hosting its services on Microsoft Azure.

2. Partnering on Immersive Collaboration with Meta Quest 3 featuring Microsoft Mesh 3D rooms.

3. Then both agreeing to support Llama 2 AI.

It's clear the two software giants are intent on fixing a number of Enterprise customer challenges with Employee Engagement (read the Gallup Report here "The State of the Workplace") and Productivity.

In fact Microsoft Launched its new Enterprise Performance equation: Engagement x Productivity = Performance (read more here) in its Workplace Trends Reports (here).     

What is Microsoft Mesh?

Microsoft Mesh in Teams, builds directly into your Teams meeting experience, enhances engagement with ready-made 3D immersive spaces designed for your everyday needs, including team social gatherings, brainstorming sessions, and round-table discussions.

Microsoft Mesh larger Events 

With Microsoft Mesh, you can host larger events in custom immersive environments tailored to your specific business needs, such as employee events, onboarding, training, or simulations.

Microsoft Mesh Customised Spaces with Unity 

Teams users can easily join and interact in these spaces using a no-code editor for straightforward customisation. Alternatively, leverage the Mesh toolkit and Unity for fully customisable immersive experiences.

These design tools, part of the Mesh development overview, allow you to create and modify the same 3D environment to suit the diverse needs of your workforce, enhancing user engagement and collaboration.

The Mesh platform supports VR headsets, the best value and offering being the mixed Reality headset Meta Quest 3. Mesh integrates seamlessly with both standard Teams and Teams Premium. Additionally, it enables the use of multiple avatars and virtual reality experiences, setting a new standard in digital interaction and cloud-based collaboration, in contrast to platforms like Facebook.

The Studies by PWC and Munster University on:

• Immersive meeting room effectiveness versus 2D Teams Meetings 
• Training Effectiveness and cost reduction

Make Interesting reading and the data and numbers point to compelling gains on employee engagement, productivity and savings versus traditional, now legacy classroom and online training solutions.   

Why immersive experiences?

Immersive experiences offer distinct features, such as spatial interaction, co-presence, and immersion, which foster a sense of being physically together in a 3D digital space. As digital engagement evolves from audio to video and now to spatial interaction, Microsoft Mesh in Teams enhances these experiences.

Spatial awareness, achieved through directionality and distance, enables multiple small group discussions within the same virtual environment, incorporating familiar human elements into digital connections. Spending time with others in the same 3D environment through Mesh for Teams users creates a strong sense of togetherness, or co-presence, even when you’re not actively speaking.

Co-presence can lead to spontaneous conversations or simply deepen connections through shared experiences. Microsoft Mesh, integrated with Unity and Teams, allows you to focus on what truly matters: people, conversations, and a uniquely shared virtual space that enhances the way you work and collaborate.

Immersive Meetings : Commuting out : Teleporting in

In summary any employee will now question the need to commute versus Teleporting into the office to meet with colleagues , peers and executives.

What can you do in immersive spaces in Teams?

• Connect with colleagues in innovative ways directly within your existing Microsoft Teams meetings. Experience the advantages of spatial audio and 3D interaction for more engaging digital interactions.

• Enhance team collaboration with ready-to-use icebreakers and activities such as prompt bubbles, marshmallow roasting, and bean bag toss.

• Join seamlessly from Microsoft Teams— a tool you use daily—bringing a sense of co-presence to hybrid or remote teams and transforming the way you work together.

In Microsoft Mesh, you can look forward to features like Mesh Whiteboard, Mesh Guest access, and Mesh Teams, all designed to elevate collaboration within Microsoft Teams. The platform also introduces Mesh Avatars for personalised virtual interactions, along with robust toolkits for creating, designing, and developing custom experiences within Microsoft Mesh. The focus on immersive collaboration extends to Microsoft Mesh immersive meetings and its compatibility with Meta Quest, providing powerful tools for businesses, educators, and beyond.

As these technologies evolve, they’re not just enhancing meetings—they’re enabling the creation of fully immersive spaces. Mesh for education and personnel training is a major focus, as are the broader implications for mixed reality in business and the Metaverse. Keep an eye on these developments as Microsoft Mesh and Meta continue to shape the future of virtual collaboration.

Microsoft Mesh New Features and Roadmap

To see the live situation, use this URL to jump directly to the Mesh roadmap. There are some pretty big items in the list, that will help to utilise Mesh more and better.

Microsoft Mesh White-boarding 

Further discussing the new Microsoft Whiteboard, it’s clear that this innovative tool will enable seamless collaboration within Mesh events and likely within Teams Immersive Spaces as well. It will be compatible with both PC and Meta Quest devices, including Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest Pro. Excitingly, it also features Whiteboard Copilot, which is expected to roll out in November 2024. This development is a significant boost for the Meta platform and Meta for Business, especially with the integration of Meta Quest and Mesh Rooms.

The Mesh Whiteboard will greatly enhance collaborative efforts within Mesh Teams, allowing for more dynamic interactions using Mesh Avatars. This tool also extends the capabilities for creating, designing, and developing custom experiences in Microsoft Mesh. With the added benefit of Microsoft Mesh immersive meetings and compatibility with Meta Quest, this tool is poised to revolutionise virtual collaboration, particularly in mixed reality environments.

White-boarding will become much more intuitive and enjoyable, as users won’t need to rely solely on controllers. However, for those who prefer them, controllers can still be used, with the option to switch between hand interactions and controllers as needed. This upgrade will impact what you can do in Mesh experiences, especially when interacting with objects, enhancing engaging experiences across the Meta platform and Meta for Business.

This enhancement enriches interactions within Meta Quest and Mesh Rooms, adding new dimensions to Mesh Whiteboard, Mesh Teams, and Mesh Avatars. Whether you’re creating, designing, or developing custom Mesh experiences in Microsoft Mesh, this update will enhance your capabilities within Microsoft Mesh company pages and immersive meetings. The implications for the Metaverse and broader Mesh experiences are profound, making this a pivotal development for the future of virtual collaboration. For those getting started with Microsoft Mesh, this is a great time to start the journey towards fully immersive and engaging experiences within mixed reality.

Microsoft Mesh app on PC will support guests in Mesh events!

Now, you can invite people from outside your organisation to join Mesh events, allowing them to fully participate—attending events, engaging in discussions, and experiencing the event just like internal attendees.

Microsoft Guest access on Meta Quest 3

What’s coming next is support for guests using the Mesh app on Meta Quest devices, including Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest Pro, as well as the addition of anonymous participants. This means anonymous attendees can join Mesh events, paving the way for entirely new types of experiences—from virtual parties to B2B and B2C scenarios with Microsoft Mesh.

With this expansion, tools like Mesh Whiteboard, Mesh Teams, and Mesh Avatars will be crucial in enhancing interactions. The Mesh toolkit will support the creation, design, and development of custom experiences within Microsoft Mesh, including immersive meetings and experiences tailored for the Meta platform. This update opens up new possibilities for 3D experiences and virtual meetings, impacting applications across the Metaverse, education, personnel training, and beyond.

This significant leap forward for Meta for Business and the broader virtual collaboration landscape transforms how colleagues interact in immersive spaces, making it a notable advancement in the world of virtual events and teamwork.

Microsoft Teams Chat support

Another exciting feature on the list is the integration of Microsoft Teams chat support within Microsoft Mesh events. This will enable seamless communication across all participants and rooms during a Mesh event. You’ll be able to chat directly from the Teams desktop to Mesh events and vice versa. Additionally, attendees within Microsoft Mesh, whether on PC or Meta Quest devices, can also join the chat. In multi-room events, the chat functionality will cover all rooms, ensuring that everyone stays connected.

This integration significantly enhances the Meta platform's capabilities, making it even more valuable for Meta for Business. It complements other tools such as Mesh Whiteboard, Mesh Teams, and Microsoft Mesh Avatars, supporting more cohesive and immersive experiences in Meta Quest and Mesh Rooms. The integration of chat support enriches interactions within Microsoft Mesh, providing a more seamless and engaging experience for team users and further expanding the possibilities within immersive spaces and custom Mesh environments.

Microsoft Mesh : The Project Studio

We’re also set to see the introduction of a new environment called The Project Studio, designed for use in Microsoft Teams Immersive Spaces and Microsoft Mesh events. This innovative space is tailored for synchronous teamwork and productivity, enabling small groups to collaborate on content using whiteboards and other tools.

Given that The Project Studio is expected to roll out in October 2024, and Whiteboard support is anticipated in November 2024, it’s likely these releases will be closely aligned. This integration promises to enhance experiences in Mesh Rooms and significantly impact Microsoft Mesh company pages, immersive meetings, and applications across the Metaverse, education, and personnel training.

With The Project Studio, Microsoft is advancing the future of collaboration through immersive spaces, providing powerful new tools for virtual environments. This development will enrich teamwork with custom Mesh experiences and elevate the use of avatars for teams, pushing the boundaries of immersive experiences and the mesh toolkit.

Microsoft Mesh Audio Zones

Another exciting feature is the introduction of Audio Zones, which Mesh developers can integrate into various spaces. These zones control how sound and audio propagate within and beyond a defined area. This functionality allows for the creation of private zones where conversations can occur without being overheard by others just outside the area. Conversely, you can design quiet spaces within noisy environments, such as a party, to facilitate clear conversations amidst surrounding noise.

This feature will significantly enhance Mesh Rooms and integrate seamlessly with tools like Mesh Whiteboard, Mesh Teams, and Mesh Avatars. It will be a valuable addition for creating, designing, and developing within Microsoft Mesh, enriching immersive meetings and collaborations. The introduction of Audio Zones expands the possibilities within immersive 3D environments and the Metaverse, making Microsoft Mesh an even more versatile platform for immersive and collaborative experiences.

Whether you're enhancing teams meetings, designing office environments, or creating custom immersive spaces, Audio Zones will contribute to more tailored and effective virtual interactions, helping to foster face-to-face connections within immersive spaces.

Microsoft Mesh Host and attendee interaction visibility

This final feature, is quite close to what Multi-Room User Visualisation in the Mesh What’s new does, but it expands the visualisation also to attendees, not just hosts. The Multi-Room User Visualization feature has just been released, but it is currently limited to hosts. We’ll need to wait until October for the full rollout when this roadmap item is finalised. This feature allows hosts to see which attendees have raised their hands across different rooms and view the emojis used by attendees in other rooms.

This enhancement will significantly improve the experience in Meta Quest and Mesh Rooms, making it easier for hosts to manage and interact with participants. It will also complement other tools like Mesh Whiteboard, Mesh Teams, and Mesh Guest, providing a more integrated and responsive environment for both hosts and attendees.

This update will be particularly valuable in immersive spaces and immersive employee experiences, offering a comprehensive overview of interactions. It aligns with Microsoft's vision for immersive experiences, enhancing Microsoft Teams and Mesh for Teams users by integrating these features into a cohesive virtual environment.

What is the Impact of these announcements and October and November delivery?

The Graphic starts to hint at the revolution in the enterprise space that starts next month.

For CEO's

The opportunity to announce a new era in performance for 2025 is here. 

• No detachment and engagement issues with remote or hybrid workers.
• No management paranoia about productivity levels and "return to the office" mandates.
• The Performance of your organisation can be lifted dramatically in 2025.
• A closer team with far higher employee engagement levels
• A more productive team which means the Team performance will lift to a new level.
  • A note of caution here, I would not let competition steal a march on you, you will feel the impact.

For CTO's

The barrier of Meta and Facebook login's has gone. Meta Quest 3 Headsets are serious enterprise ready devices.

• Mixed Reality, means their predecessors "Gaming only" only use case is long gone.
• Device Management with Meta Business or Microsoft Intune is a reality.
• The price point £479 a device is just over a 1/3 of the top of the range Iphone 15.
• You can run multiple browser sessions, 3 displays, without having them on your desk!
• The three displays cost more than the device!
• You get to herald in a new era in Collaboration, Teamwork in your Microsoft Tech Stack.

For Finance Directors

You can seriously entertain shrinking the physical meeting room stock, re-stacking floors, subletting floors so that the budget next year gets a healthy helping hand.

• Do the maths, the ROI calculation of Meeting Room space being axed versus Meta Quest headset and Microsoft Teams Mesh Rooms.
• We haven't done the numbers for you but we'll do London prime space versus Meta Quest 3 and Mesh Room cost in next months blog.

For Human Resource Directors

You get to herald in an entirely new Human and Technology outcome era. Here's how:

• Commuting Out : Teleporting in - that as a employee proposition transforms your employee offering.
• Your Employee no longer has to calculate "is it worth it going to the office" will the right people be in?
• They get their commuting time back for Wellbeing and family/health improvement time.
• Your new employee recruitment challenge gets a whole lot easier, seen as embracing technology that employees use at home for gaming already.
• Your carbon Footprint is cut instantly with commuting miles drastically reduced
• Your classroom or online training efficiency transformed with up to 64% less cost (see PWC and Munster study)
• Your Induction now becomes seriously impressive, welcome to our 3D Induction suite, that takes up no floor space!

Microsoft Mesh and Meta Quest 3 Headsets and the Boardroom Impact

Advice for Every Boardroom : Microsoft Mesh and Meta Quest 3 headsets are something you need to understand before your competition does.