Facebook ntsib Rivals dua, Microsoft's team collaboration space Teams integrate networking features

Shortly after Facebook changed its name to Meta, another US tech giant, Microsoft, announced that it was working hard to develop experiences like Together Mode and others to make it available for more conversations. With the introduction of the Microsoft Mesh platform for Microsoft teams in 2022 and the integration of the Meta platform with the group, group collaboration, the truly integrated device of HoloLens will allow everyone to join meetings in 3D virtual images.

“In the virtual world, we feel tired,” Microsoft team manager Nicole Herskowitz told The Verge. "After about 30 to 40 minutes of conversation, it's hard to get involved and focus." The weakness of the initial conference led to the surge in collaboration (after virtual cards), and now Microsoft is hoping that Mesh will help ease the hassle of video production. Too much experience on daily calls.

Recently, we announced a trial of Horizon Workrooms, a virtual chat site on Meta (Facebook has been renamed the new name), showing that users can join as virtual avatars in reality or access from their PC on the phone. The fact that the current version of Horizon Workroom Studio has been widely used by the company for over 6 months, and that Microsoft has entered the meta-world, this time merging Group and Mesh is not good.

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Before I analyzed why Microsoft came into the meta-world, I noticed that Microsoft has said on several occasions about mesh technology and HoloLens technology, how many cats in two names.

Look at HoloLen, which is the basis, in fact, it is the smart glasses Microsoft announced in 2016 that can use mixed reality (Microsoft's definition of true mixed is human, computer and environmental interaction technology). So how does HoloLens work?

“Microsoft HoloLens is one of the mainstream smart glasses, but it has yet to become a major retailer. A video released to the European Patent Office in the spring of 2018 shows that only around 50,000 units have been sold. 'now, according to a video released at the European Patent Office.

Although HoloLens did not complete the consumer product market (sales of HoloLens 2 were not good), HoloLens not only kept the AR brand for Microsoft, but also gained in value and quality improvements. similar to Meta.

In addition to hardware research, Microsoft also developed Microsoft Mesh, an Integrated Reality (MR) platform. Mesh allows local groups to organize collaborative meetings, create forums, support colleagues, study together, chat, and more. The idea is that virtual sharing sites are infinitely close to the “meta universe”.

As Alex Kipman, the “Father of HoloLens”, points out: “We are improving the value of smart air (Azure). In the shared space, the content is not on my device or my document. Holographic content only needs a special lens to display the cloud. Application based on Microsoft Mesh Thanks to this, where they can be made with 3D physical models (from bikes to luxury furniture, airplanes to new parks), the holographic design allows architects and engineers to travel through digital simulations of pre-production Repair facilities. All parts are inspected in three dimensions to avoid costly mistakes. "

It should be noted that the mesh was formed from the ground up with various open materials. The HoloLens 2, the series of virtual headsets, smartphones, tablets and personal computers, can perform all kinds of virtual reality, while Horizon Workrooms, the virtual reality of Facebook. Use similar smart glasses (Quest 2). At the current Ignite conference, Microsoft announced two applications based on the Microsoft Mesh platform: the Microsoft Mesh application and AltspaceVR.

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In the field of virtual reality, Microsoft's layout is at the heart of Sima Zhao. As we all know, the decision to join Mesh Work in the team was not directly focused and thought out at Meta.

According to Microsoft's plan, the team will be able to get new 3D images through video conferencing, without the need to wear VR headsets. These images can represent 2D and 3D conference participants, so if you don't want them, you can open your meeting. webcam and choose your own animated version.

“It's not an option, it's not an option, but I can choose to show the video or the avatar however I want,” said the Microsoft Grid product manager. Director Katie Kelly said in an interview with The Verge. “I can present this meeting well, so the photos of the attendees can create animations similar to the content of the speech, and attendees can feel like they're with them. . "

Immersive Spaces is where Microsoft views mesh integration as the most lucrative, especially in its efforts to create meta-spaces for the industry. Microsoft plans to create a virtual space in the Group where people can communicate and chat through games and even use Microsoft applications to participate in activities.

These virtual spaces will obviously work best in VR or AR headsets, but will be open to all different devices due to the role of animated avatars. As Kelly explains, “What really separates our past experience from Microsoft is how meta-space started with the human experience, so I think there's an interaction with people, eyes, and services. Intersections will be very important. "

At the same time, we have also learned that as Microsoft continues to add translation and interpretation, we can reduce the restrictions by allowing users to meet colleagues from all over the world in the virtual space.

Of course, teams with the "meta" function will be used primarily by internal Microsoft teams, and our team expects to be able to use virtual sites and graphics from the first half of next year. 'Kelly added.

Microsoft's promotion of meta spaces in Teams came just days after Facebook changed its name to Meta as a business name. The meta-company is working on a concept similar to that of Microsoft, and the main idea is to represent a digital avatar in a virtual space. Meta Reality Labs has developed user-friendly hardware and software, including the Quest VR headset, and last year announced its vision for remote operation using augmented and virtual reality.

Microsoft and meta will certainly face stiff competition in the age of the meta edge. On the other hand, meta has thousands of daily users on Facebook and Instagram, which can support the goal of the meta world, while on the other hand, Microsoft has millions of daily users in the team of the meta-group, Office In. together. The battle for digital photography has only just begun.