Together Mode, the feature that cropped participants and placed them in a shared virtual space, is disappearing from Microsoft Teams. Although it allowed for digital shoulder taps or handshakes and reduced visual distractions, its use proved impractical. Microsoft argues that the removal aims to reduce fragmentation between platforms and simplify the interface.
Technical rationalization of an augmented reality feature 🛠️
The implementation of Together Mode required real-time video processing to segment users and render a shared 3D background. This entailed high system resource consumption and complicated compatibility between devices and operating systems. By removing this layer of complexity, Microsoft unifies the Teams codebase, reducing failure points and the interaction steps needed to access basic functions.
Goodbye to the virtual shoulder no one dared to tap 👋
Together Mode promised interactions like virtual handshakes, but in practice it was the digital equivalent of a greeting from six feet away. In the end, the feature was about as useful as a robotic arm for patting yourself on the back. Microsoft has decided it is better to focus on the essentials: fewer options, fewer clicks, and above all, fewer awkward moments simulating being in an empty auditorium.