Video chat Microsoft Teams introduced users to a new feature in the form of Snapchat


Video chat Microsoft Teams introduced users to a new feature in the form of Snapchat
The modern Internet is changing rapidly. We often don’t talk only about natural evolution but about very rapid changes under the influence of various external factors. For example, pandemics and quarantines, which after 2019 became the main driving force for the metamorphosis of the Internet space.
Today, we want to take a look at the significant changes that have taken place on the Web over the past few years, as well as share our assumptions about how the industry will develop further. Surely, there is something to discuss!
New from Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is an application for collaboration and communication with a team of colleagues, a group of friends, etc.
The service was first launched in November 2016 as a competitor to the then-popular enterprise solution Slack. The platform received several major updates in 2019 before the pandemic. Also, with the advent of the coronavirus, when the demand for online communication services skyrocketed, developers directed more efforts to expand the functionality.
In mid-July 2022, it became known about the implementation of a new feature in Microsoft Teams called Video Clip is similar to Snapchat.
In fact, Video Clip is videos that users can send to each other through Microsoft Teams where the recipients can watch them at their convenience. This is an analogue of voice messages, only with video.
According to the developers, the new feature will help users work "synchronously and asynchronously." That is, communication becomes not only more functional but also more convenient. Video messages allow you to convey more important information to the interlocutor in a short time, make a visual presentation, and explain something with a specific example, and not just in words. Additionally, all these can be achieved without both being online at the same time.
Microsoft presented the Video Clip feature during the Microsoft Inspire conference, however, they did not specify when the updated functionality will appear in Teams. We assume that the deployment of Video clips will be carried out gradually and in waves. We hope that you won't have to wait for long, because such functionality can simplify work and improve communication for many specialists.
Video chat Microsoft Teams introduced users to a new feature in the form of Snapchat
How have other online services changed amid the pandemic and other upheavals?
Obviously, Microsoft Teams is just one of many online platforms that, due to external factors, were forced to significantly revise their development strategy and offer users new opportunities. For clarity, we will give a few more examples.
  • Skype
Although today Skype is nowhere near as popular as it used to be, it has still an impressive user base. The developers are very slow, but they consistently implement interesting features. In April 2019, before the pandemic, Skype made it possible to simultaneously communicate with 50 people (in 2021, the number was increased to 100 people). In 2020, the developers added blur and background replacement features. In 2021, an interesting “Meeting” feature was added. One can invite users who are not registered with Skype to video chat.
Nonetheless, at the end of 2021, Skype developers announced that they have big plans to improve their service, update their interface, and expand functionality. Who knows, perhaps Skype will regain its former position among the platforms for online communication.
  • Zoom
Zoom is a video conferencing service that turned out to be a real boon for millions of people during the pandemic and quarantine. Automatically, Zoom became the main tool for maintaining working relationships for millions across the globe, as well as ties with friends and relatives.
Despite the severe force majeure associated with the leakage of user data, Zoom remains one of the leaders in online video chats for group video calls. Over the past few years, developers have introduced a ton of new features: Zoom Apps, Zoom for Home, Zoom Rooms, Zoom Webinars, Zoom App Marketplace, and many others.
We see how year after year, Zoom gradually turns from a completely ordinary video conferencing service into a real super-application with huge redundant functionality at times. Whether it is good or bad, it's hard to say. However, if functions appear, then there is a demand for them.
  • Google Meet
Since the start of the pandemic, Google Meet has added many new tools for online learning, improved security and collaboration features, expanded the list of live subtitle languages, and even added functionality for hosting online parties with friends.
The most important advantage of Google Meet is that the service is free and available directly from the browser. There is no need to install a separate app to enjoy all the features of Google Meet.
Non-standard ways to use online video chats
The pandemic and quarantine forced contemporaries to use sometimes the most unusual methods of online interaction. In some cases, it gave positive results. For example:
  • Realtors are holding online demonstrations of residential and commercial properties.
  • Retailers advertise and sell goods and services directly online.
  • Brands hold large-scale online presentations (Apple, Samsung, Google, and others).
Today, with the help of video chat, you can do much such as receive training, get a job, solve almost any work tasks, and meet and communicate with new interesting people without stress.
Nonetheless, Skype, Zoom, and their analogues will not work for the last goal. However, there is a great alternative such as video chats that connect completely random users via video known as Omegle.
If you are interested in online dating, we recommend that you consider the following video chats:
  • Omegle — is the first ever online video chat that has been running since 2009. It offers a filter for language and a list of interests.
  • Chathub — is quite a simple analogue of Omegle with basic filters: gender and language. Chathub does not have mobile applications, but it is quite a convenient adaptive web version.
  • CooMeet — is an Omegle alternative with girls, with a unique gender filter that never makes a mistake when choosing an interlocutor by gender. If you have used other video chats regularly, then you will know that they make mistakes very often.
  • Chatspin — is another simple video chat with a gender filter and also features AR masks to help keep you anonymous when you meet new people.
Let’s summarize!
Modern Internet communication is largely based on video communication. This is a completely logical evolutionary stage in the development of the Web. Probably, in the foreseeable future, VR and AR technologies will play an increasing role. Until this happens, Omegle and its analogues are still holding first place confidently.
If for some reason, you still communicate by texting or phone, we recommend expanding the list of communication tools at your disposal and paying special attention to video chats. You'll like it!