Microsoft is discontinuing the "Together" feature in Teams, a move aimed at enhancing video quality and reducing implementation complexity. Originally introduced in 2020 during the pandemic to foster a sense of collaboration, the feature will be replaced by the Gallery mode as users return to in-person work.
The company noted that "Together" mode increases cognitive load for users and complicates performance on less powerful devices, leading to choppy video experiences. In contrast, the new Gallery mode is designed to provide smoother video playback by adjusting tile counts automatically, thereby minimizing the strain on devices.
Microsoft's decision comes amidst criticism of Teams for its complex interface and performance issues. By eliminating the Together feature, the company aims to address these user concerns while focusing on essential video enhancements such as super-resolution and improved color accuracy.