Observed Signal · May 18, 2026 · Deprecation · Source: t3n · Impact: 1/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Microsoft Removes Teams' Together Mode After Six Years
Microsoft will remove the Together Mode feature from Microsoft Teams on June 30, 2026. Introduced in July 2020 to place participants into virtual shared layouts (e.g., conference table, auditorium), Together Mode will be removed as part of an update that eliminates the Together Mode button from meeting views. Microsoft cites three reasons: simplify and declutter the Teams interface, reduce inconsistent layout options across desktop/web/mobile, and decrease behind-the-scenes complexity so developers can focus on video quality, stability and performance. Microsoft says existing alternatives like the gallery view, pinning and Spotlight remain available and that community-requested features such as Super-Resolution and Denoising can be reprioritized after the feature's removal.
Product feature removal from a major productivity platform affects user experience but is not industry‑shifting for AdTech/MarTech.
Track Microsoft Signals & Market Shifts in Real-Time
Polaris7 autonomous intelligence agents track regulatory filings, primary sources, executive changes, and deal flow 24/7. Create your free Explorer workspace to monitor these entities.
Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Microsoft introduced Together Mode in July 2020.
- Microsoft will remove Together Mode from Teams on June 30, 2026 via an update.
- Microsoft gave three reasons for removal: simplify the interface, reduce cross-platform layout differences, and reduce backend complexity to reallocate developer effort.
- Microsoft recommends existing tools (gallery view, pinning, Spotlight) as alternatives and said features like Super-Resolution and Denoising can be reprioritized after removal.
Connected Companies & Entities
3 Entities mappedOntology Mapping & Concepts
Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
Microsoft to Roll Out New Outlook Features in May
Microsoft plans to roll out new Outlook features in May 2026, including calendar enhancements and expanded AI integrations. The web version will get a redesigned navigation bar that can surface team and manager calendars automatically and support third‑party accounts. Users will be able to select multiple calendars and non‑contiguous events using Shift/Ctrl. Desktop Outlook will gain access to Microsoft Copilot to summarize selected email text and provide additional context. Anthropic’s Claude is also being integrated into Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and will be available in Outlook in a beta, with cross-application context retention to enable workflows like moving Excel data into PowerPoint or drafting emails from Word documents. The article notes community criticism about the prior removal of a “Contact Masking” feature and the planned discontinuation of Outlook Lite on May 25, 2026.
Microsoft merges Copilot apps, retires several AI features
Microsoft is consolidating its consumer Copilot app and Microsoft 365 Copilot into a single application and is retiring multiple underperforming AI features. According to Microsoft support documentation and reporting by GeekWire and The Information, features being removed for consumers by August 18, 2026 include Group Chats, AI-generated podcasts, Copilot Labs experimental features, and Deep Research. Microsoft will migrate files from the standalone Copilot app to OneDrive and says paid professional users will have access to a Researcher replacement for some capabilities. The move reflects broader consolidation in AI apps across the industry and an internal push to streamline Copilot’s value proposition.
Microsoft Xbox creates new division for films, series, parks
Microsoft's Xbox gaming division announced the creation of a new business unit dedicated to films, television series, and theme park attractions. The move signals an expansion into entertainment and immersive experiences beyond video games, leveraging Xbox's intellectual property. This strategic diversification is part of Microsoft's broader ambition to grow its media and entertainment footprint, following trends seen across the industry. The new division will focus on developing and producing content based on Xbox franchises, potentially opening new revenue streams for the company. Financial details or a timeline for the division's operations have not been disclosed.
Track Real-Time Market Signals & Shifts
Set up custom watchlists to receive automated, evidence-grounded executive digests whenever material signals or shifts occur across your tracked landscape.