The success of collaboration apps such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom have been a godsend to organizations looking to coordinate activities and meetings remotely. In an effort to remain competitive, the two leading communication platforms have been waging a feature war to remain the go-to choice for businesses. The latest salvo to be fired by Microsoft Teams is the introduction of a divisive feature that is coming to Zoom as well.
The feature in question is known as Breakout Rooms, and it allows users to split conversations into smaller, separate conversations. This can be particularly useful in large meetings, where audience members can be split up virtually. Breakout Rooms can also introduce more inclusive conversations, as they allow all participants to be heard more effectively.
Microsoft introduced Breakout Rooms to Teams in April 2020, and the feature has proven relatively popular. While some users find it useful, others have raised concerns that it reinforces hierarchy in meetings, silencing extroverts and allowing certain individuals to dominate conversations.
For its part, Zoom has decided to incorporate the feature as well. In a statement, the company said that it “looks to include as many features as possible to aid in efficient and effective communication.” The company also made clear that it would be making “accommodations for all styles of communication,” and that Zoom would not be including “any functionality that creates pressure or hierarchies in conversations.” Still, it remains to be seen how this feature will play out in practice.
Although it can be a divisive feature, Breakout Rooms could prove to be a useful tool for both Microsoft Teams and Zoom users. It remains to be seen how the feature will affect the way meetings are held in the future, but the current trend suggests that both apps are aiming to bring collaboration to a wider audience.
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