Microsoft is retiring Together Mode from Teams, the pandemic-era feature that used AI to place participants in a shared virtual space, as part of a broader effort to simplify the platform.
The feature, once praised for creating the illusion of sitting together in a virtual conference room, has been deemed gimmicky and is being removed to reduce fragmentation and streamline the interface.
A Shift in Focus
Microsoft will redirect resources toward improving video quality, stability, and overall performance. The Together Mode toggle will disappear from the view menu, and associated features like scenes and seat assignments will also be removed.
The removal is part of a broader effort to reduce fragmentation and streamline the interface.
The changes are rolling out gradually, allowing users to adjust to the updated interface over time. This move signals a clear pivot from novelty features to core functionality enhancements.