Ep 134: Tips, Features, What's New (May 2025)

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Meeting notes:

• Meeting Recap and Search Functionality: Ricardo Wilkins discussed the functionality of the search box on their website, confirming that it works effectively for finding words and topics. He emphasized the importance of this feature for accessing meeting recaps and videos, which are also searchable.

  • Search Functionality: Ricardo demonstrated the search functionality on their website, confirming that it works effectively for finding words and topics. He mentioned that the search box is crucial for accessing meeting recaps and videos, which are also searchable. He defended the search box's functionality, explaining that it might have appeared not to work due to a delay.

  • Meeting Recaps: Ricardo highlighted that meeting recaps are posted on the website along with the session videos. He noted that these recaps are searchable, making it easier for users to find specific topics discussed in previous meetings. He also mentioned that he plans to add more old episodes and recaps to the site over time.

  • YouTube Search: Ricardo mentioned that the search functionality on YouTube is also useful for finding specific topics within their channel. He noted that YouTube Premium users have access to AI assistance for searching and summarizing videos, which can be beneficial for videos without recaps.

• Interpreter Feature in Teams: Ricardo Wilkins highlighted the interpreter feature in Teams, which translates spoken language in real-time during presentations. He noted that this feature is best used in meetings where one person speaks for an extended period, as there is a slight delay in translation.

  • Feature Overview: Ricardo explained the interpreter feature in Teams, which translates spoken language in real-time into the language of the user's choice. This feature uses AI to provide translations with a voice that sounds as if the speaker is actually speaking that language.

  • Best Use Cases: Ricardo emphasized that the interpreter feature is best used in meetings where one person speaks for an extended period, such as presentations. He noted that there is a slight delay in translation, which can be jarring in back-and-forth conversations unless participants are conscientious about pausing before speaking.

  • Availability: Ricardo mentioned that the interpreter feature has not yet been rolled out to many tenants but will be useful for meetings with participants who have different language requirements once it becomes available.

• Copilot Weekly Session: Ricardo Wilkins mentioned the ongoing Copilot weekly sessions and the recent rollout of the researcher agent feature in his tenant. He encouraged participants to explore this feature if available in their environment.

  • Weekly Sessions: Ricardo mentioned that they have a weekly session dedicated to Copilot, where they discuss various features and updates. He noted that a lot of his time is spent on these sessions.

  • Researcher Agent: Ricardo highlighted the recent rollout of the researcher agent feature in his tenant. He encouraged participants to explore this feature if it is available in their environment, noting that many people are eagerly waiting for it.

• New Calendar in Teams: Ricardo Wilkins and Staci discussed their experiences with the new calendar in Teams. While Staci is mostly content with it, Ricardo still prefers the old calendar for its team-specific features. They noted that the new calendar brings the best of the web-based Outlook to Teams.

  • User Experiences: Ricardo and Staci shared their experiences with the new calendar in Teams. Staci mentioned that she is mostly content with the new calendar, while Ricardo still prefers the old calendar for its team-specific features.

  • Features Comparison: Ricardo noted that the new calendar brings the best of the web-based Outlook to Teams. However, he prefers the old calendar because it retains team-specific features, such as tabs for chat and other team-specific functionalities.

  • Recap Tabs: Staci mentioned that finding the recap tabs for meetings took her a moment to get used to in the new calendar. She noted that the recap is now surfaced better, but it works differently from the old calendar.

  • Breakout Rooms: Ricardo pointed out that breakout rooms do not currently show in the new calendar view. He mentioned that any Teams-native features like breakout rooms are still not visible in the new calendar.

• Meeting Recap Link: Ricardo Wilkins expressed his appreciation for the new "copy link to recap" button in Teams meetings. This feature allows users to easily access and share the full meeting recap, including notes and recordings.

  • Feature Overview: Ricardo highlighted the new "copy link to recap" button in Teams meetings, which allows users to easily access and share the full meeting recap, including notes and recordings.

  • Usage: Ricardo explained how he uses the "copy link to recap" button to add meeting recaps to his OneNote. He mentioned that this feature provides a direct link to the full experience of the recap, making it easier to access and share.

  • Previous Methods: Ricardo compared the new feature to previous methods of accessing recaps, such as navigating to the meeting tab or relying on embedded recaps within meeting invites. He noted that the new button simplifies the process significantly.

• Expandable Meeting Windows: Ricardo Wilkins demonstrated the new expandable and flexible meeting windows in Teams. He highlighted the ability to pop out chat, content, and live captions into separate windows, which enhances the user experience during meetings.

  • Feature Demonstration: Ricardo demonstrated the new expandable and flexible meeting windows in Teams, showing how users can pop out chat, content, and live captions into separate windows. This feature enhances the user experience by allowing more flexibility in managing meeting content.

  • Live Captions: Ricardo highlighted the ability to pop out live captions into a separate window. He mentioned that this feature is particularly useful for users who like to see the text of what people are saying or for those who have difficulty hearing clearly.

  • Content Sharing: Ricardo explained that popping out shared content into a separate window allows users to have a larger view of the content being shared. This is beneficial for presentations and detailed content review during meetings.

  • Chat Management: Ricardo noted that popping out the chat window allows users to manage chat interactions more effectively without disrupting the main meeting window. This is useful for presenters who need to monitor chat questions and comments.

• Custom Backgrounds in Teams: Ricardo Wilkins shared his observations about the custom backgrounds feature in Teams. He noted that the last used custom background now appears as a thumbnail, making it easier to select frequently used backgrounds.

  • Feature Observation: Ricardo observed that the last used custom background now appears as a thumbnail in Teams, making it easier to select frequently used backgrounds. He mentioned that this is a welcome improvement for users who often use custom backgrounds.

  • Background Selection: Ricardo explained that previously, users had to scroll down to the bottom of the list to select their custom backgrounds. The new feature simplifies this process by displaying the last used custom background as a thumbnail.

• AI Background Decoration: Ricardo Wilkins briefly mentioned the AI background decoration feature in Teams, which can clean up or enhance the user's real-life background. He found it interesting but noted that it might not be widely used.

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• Screenshot Shortcuts: Ricardo Wilkins and Staci discussed various screenshot shortcuts and tools, including the Windows Key + Shift + S shortcut and the screen clipping feature in OneNote. They emphasized the usefulness of these tools for capturing and sharing information.

  • Windows Shortcut: Ricardo and Staci discussed the Windows Key + Shift + S shortcut for taking screenshots. They emphasized its usefulness for quickly capturing and sharing information during meetings.

  • OneNote Screen Clipping: Ricardo demonstrated the screen clipping feature in OneNote, which allows users to take screenshots and insert them directly into their notes.

• Upcoming Microsoft Build Conference: Ricardo Wilkins reminded participants about the upcoming Microsoft Build conference and the potential new announcements related to Teams. He encouraged participants to join the next session in June to discuss any new developments.

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Follow-up tasks:

• Meeting Recap: Upload more old episodes and recaps to the new platform. (Ricardo)

• Interpreter Feature: Review the interpreter feature in Teams for presentation-style meetings and provide feedback. (Ricardo)

• Copilot Weekly Session: Check the availability of the researcher agent in the tenant and report findings. (Ricardo)

• New Calendar Feedback: Provide feedback on the new calendar versus the old calendar in Teams. (Staci)

• Background Customization: Investigate the algorithm for custom background placement and report findings. (Ricardo)

• Build Conference: Prepare to discuss new announcements from Microsoft Build in the next meeting. (Ricardo, Staci)