What is Together Mode in Microsoft Teams

Together Mode in Microsoft Teams is actually a simple option dedicated to smaller gatherings. It provides you the impression of a large gallery view. That shows all the meeting attendees sitting together in a virtual auditorium. Video communication, collaboration, and workplace apps such as Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams were already being used via a lot of businesses and companies for teleconferencing, telecommuting, brainstorming, etc. It enabled them to include members who are not able to be physically present for multiple reasons as well. But, now during this pandemic and lockdown, these apps have gained tremendous popularity as well. Almost everyone is using them for professional or personal purposes actually. Just read this article to know all about What is Together Mode in Microsoft Teams – Enable it. Let’s begin!

People all around the globe are stuck in their homes, and the only way to connect along with people is via these video conferencing apps. Be it hanging out with friends, attending classes as well as lectures, conducting business meetings, etc. Each and everything is on platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet. Every app is trying to introduce new features, app integrations, as well. In order to improve the experience of the users. The perfect example of this is the new Together mode introduced via Microsoft Teams.

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1 What is Together Mode in Microsoft Teams

After prolonged periods of staying at home, folks now have started to miss their classrooms. Everyone is craving to get together, just sit in the same room, and feel a sense of belongingness. Because that won’t be possible any time soon, Microsoft Teams have come up along with this innovative solution called Together mode.

It actually permits all the present in a meeting to get together in a virtual common space. Together mode is actually a filter that shows meeting attendees sitting together in a virtual auditorium. It provides people a sense of togetherness and feels close to each other. What the filter does is that it actually cuts out the section of your face via AI tools and creates an avatar. This avatar is now on a virtual background as well. The avatars can interact with others and perform a lot of actions like high-fives and shoulder taps. At present, the only available location is an auditorium, such as a classroom. However, Microsoft Teams plans on introducing more interesting backgrounds and also features.

The main advantage of the Together mode is that it eliminates background distractions and improve productivity. In a typical group video call, each and everyone has something going on in the background that also creates a distraction. A common virtual space eliminates that also significantly improves the aesthetics of the interface. It makes it easier to understand who is talking and also understand their body language.

How to Enable Together mode on Microsoft Teams?

If the update is available for your device, then you can enable or activate Together pretty easily. Follow the steps given below to see how:

First of all, open Microsoft Teams and log in with your username and password.
Now just update the app to its latest version.
When the app has been updated, Together mode will be also available for use.
There is, however, one set that also needs to be enabled before together can be used. In order to make sure that this setting is enabled, click on your profile picture in order to access the profile menu.
There, choose the Settings option.
Now scroll down to the General tab and then make sure that the checkbox next to “Turn on new meeting experience is enabled”. If this option is not available, and then it means that the latest update along with Together is not yet available on your device.
After that, just exit the setting and start a group call like you most of the time do.
Now just tap on the three-dot menu and choose Together mode from the drop-down menu.
You guys will now see that the face and also shoulder segment of all the members present in the meeting is displayed in a common virtual environment.
They will place in an auditorium, and also it would seem just like everyone is on a chair.

How many participants can actually join in on Together mode?

Currently, the Together mode basically supports a maximum of 49 participants in a single meeting. Also, you need at least 5 participants in a call in order to activate Together and you must be a host. If you guys are not the host, then you won’t be able to activate Microsoft Teams together.

When should we use Microsoft Teams Together mode?

Together mode is ideal for meetings in which there are multiple speakers actually.
The together mode is ideal when you guys have to attend a lot of video meetings. People experience less meeting fatigue when using Together mode.
Together is really helpful in meetings where the participants have trouble staying focused.
Together is also perfect for speakers who reply to audience feedback in order to progress in meetings.

When not to use Microsoft Teams Together?

If you guys want to share your screen in order to show a presentation then Together mode isn’t compatible.
And if you’re moving a lot then together mode doesn’t really work properly.
If you have up to 49 participants in a meeting then Together mode isn’t suitable. As of September 2020, Together mode currently also supports 49 participants.
It doesn’t support one-to-one meetings when you need a minimum of 5 participants in order to start Together mode.

Minimum System Requirements for using Together mode

Microsoft Teams Together for Windows users:

CPU: 1.6 GHz
RAM: 4GB
Free space: 3GB
Graphics memory: 512MB
Display: 1024 x 768
OS: Windows 8.1 or later
Peripherals: Speakers, camera, and microphone as well

Microsoft Teams Together for Mac users:

CPU: Intel dual-core processor
RAM: 4GB
Free space: 2GB
Graphics memory: 512MB
Display: 1200 x 800
OS: OS X 10.11 or later
Peripherals: Speakers, camera, and also a microphone

Microsoft Teams Together for Linux users:

CPU: 1.6 GHz
RAM: 4GB
Free space: 3GB
Graphics memory 512MB
Display: 1024 x 768
OS: Linux Distro with RPM or DEB installs
Peripherals: Speakers, camera, and microphone as well

How many backgrounds will come with the Together mode?

As of September 2020, Together mode only supports one background that is the traditional auditorium view which you guys can see in the above image. Microsoft plans to release more backgrounds for Together mode along with different scenes and interiors. However, right now there is only the default background available to use.

Conclusion

Well, I hope you like this article and understand all the steps. However, if you still have any problems and queries related to this article. Then feel free to ask me in the comments section below. I’ll get back to you shortly.

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