Skip to main content

Microsoft Teams may liven up meetings with casual game integration

Microsoft Teams could get a surprising new feature that might spice up your boring set of daily meetings — though your supervisor may not like it.

According to The Verge, Microsoft is currently internally testing classic games like Solitaire and Wordament in Teams, for a special use in meetings and hybrid work scenarios.

several microsoft casual games on a list.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The scope of how these games will be integrated into Microsoft Teams is unknown, and Microsoft did not respond to comment on the matter. It is apparent, though, that Xbox titles like Forza are not going to make it over to Teams. Instead, you can expect to see games from the Microsoft Casual Games offering, which includes Microsoft Sudoku, Mahjong by Microsoft, Microsoft Jewel, and others.

Recommended Videos

There is, however, the chance that Microsoft might not roll this out to everyone. The internal version of Teams that Microsoft employees use is usually very different from the consumer and business versions, having early previews of new features.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

In addition to testing games in Microsoft Teams, Microsoft also is playing with the bigger idea that relates to plans for the Metaverse. Falling in with Mesh in Microsoft Teams, and 3D avatars, Microsoft apparently wants to create a virtual space for meetings. This space will be for socializing, as well as networking and playing games, according to The Verge.

This would not be new ground for Microsoft. Along with dealing other Xbox and gaming-related features in Windows 11, the company previously said that it would be bringing a Game menu to the Edge web browser. This hub has similar functionality to what games in Teams sounds like. It has quick links in the sidebar to free popular games like Atari Asteroids, and Microsoft Edge’s exclusive Surf game.

Teams has been very important for Microsoft since the pandemic. Microsoft has been working to complete the service and help it compete with Zoom and other communications platforms. Teams previously got features like Together Mode which helps make your meetings more interactive.

Heading into the future, Microsoft is also working to improve meetings further with a Live Share feature. Announced at the Build 2022 developer conference, this helps you interact with shared apps in a Teams meeting window, with the ability to zoom in and out on models,

Arif Bacchus
Arif Bacchus is a native New Yorker and a fan of all things technology. Arif works as a freelance writer at Digital Trends…
This background process may consume up to 20% CPU usage
The Phone Link app being used on a phone and laptop screen.

A bug that was first spotted almost two weeks ago in a recent Windows 11 build is still there, and while Microsoft has acknowledged it, there have been no updates as to when a fix might be released. The issue stems from a feature that should otherwise run in the background and suddenly results in up to 20% CPU usage when idle. We're talking about the Windows Cross Device Service.

The service in question helps your Windows PC connect and share files across other devices. For most of us, that means features such as Phone Link, which is Microsoft's attempt at replicating Apple's seamless ecosystem. It can be used to send texts, download photos, and use apps from your computer without having to pick up the phone. However, with the new bug, you might be better off disabling the Cross Device Service entirely.

Read more
Microsoft is backpedaling on future Windows 10 updates
The Windows Update screen in Windows 10.

Windows 10 is on its way out, with support ending in October 2025. That isn't changing, though Microsoft's approach to rolling out new features in the meantime definitely has. In a surprising move, Microsoft announced in a June 4 Windows Insider Blog post that it is bringing a Beta Channel for those Windows Insiders currently running on Windows 10 version 22H2.

This means that despite the end of support, Windows 10 users will continue to get some new features that were initially restricted to Windows 11, such as the new Copilot app. It's also possible that other features may be on the way, but Microsoft has not released any further information on the subject. It was originally stated that Windows 10 version 22H2 would be its final feature update, but that appears to not be true anymore.

Read more
Microsoft is adding a controversial app to Windows 11
Microsoft Surface Laptop 2 sitting on a table.

A new Windows 11 build is rolling out in Microsoft's Beta channel, and it includes an app that's been caught up in some controversy. Build 22635.3646 includes the PC Manager app for devices in China by default. This app is already available through the Microsoft Store, but the update suggests the app might be part of Windows 11 more broadly soon.

PC Manager falls in the category of "system optimizers" along the lines of the  Razer Cortex Game Booster. It cleans out temporary files, frees memory that's not being used, and digs deep into your hard drive to clean out unused files. According to Microsoft, it can even "reduce ads and app pop-up interruptions." An system optimizer from Microsoft sounds great as an official release in Windows 11.

Read more