*By Bridgette Webb*
Microsoft is trying to turn up the heat on Slack, announcing a free version of its workplace collaboration tool Microsoft Teams on Thursday.
The company hopes the platform's ability to integrate with other Microsoft programs will give it a leg up on the industry leader.
“We have power of the full collaboration suite in there,” said Lori Wright, general manager of Microsoft 365 in an interview with Cheddar on Thursday.
Previously Teams, which was launched in 2016, was only available to those with an Office 365 subscription. The free version will include support for up to 300 people, with unlimited chat messages and search as well as integration with 140 apps. It also has a new option to blur out the background during video calls, something Wright said will "take out all of the distractions." Users will get less storage than on the paid plan, though, and won't have access to features like scheduling and recording meetings.
Slack does has its own free version, but that only allows users to search the last 10,000 messages and integrates with just 10 apps.
As of March, 200,000 businesses globally were using the paid version of Teams, less than half of the half million organizations on Slack.
Microsoft's efforts in workplace communications demonstrates the opportunity big tech companies see.
Facebook launched its own collaborative platform, Workplace, in 2016 and has reportedly signed up about 30,000 organizations. Last month the tool was made free for nonprofits and education providers.
For the full segment, [click here.](https://cheddar.com/videos/microsoft-picks-up-the-slack)
Adi Robertson, senior reporter at The Verge, joins Cheddar News to break down the battle between two NFT collections by Phunky Ape Yacht Club and PHAYC that are selling plagiarized Bored Ape Yacht Club designs.
Dan Diasio, EY Global Artificial Intelligence Consulting Leader, joins Cheddar News to discuss the role of artificial intelligence for everyday consumers, what hurdles are holding back for greater A.I. adoption, and advice for businesses using this emerging tech.
On this episode of Cheddar Innovates: Founder of Unlimited Tomorrow breaks down how he is creating completely 3D printed prosthetics to make them more affordable, customizable, and accessible; Chief Technology Officer of Zebra Technologies explains what the future of collaboration between robots and humans may look like; A look at Curiosity Stream's 'Mystery of the Roman Skulls.'
Easton LaChapelle, Founder and CEO of Unlimited Tomorrow, and joins Cheddar Innovates to discuss how he is creating completely 3D printed prosthetics to make them more affordable, customizable, and accessible. LaChappelle was recently featured in a short film called 'GENERATION IMPACT: THE INVENTOR,' which follows the story of a 14-year-old girl receiving a True Limb and can be found on HP's Digital Hub 'The Garage.'
Tom Bianculli, Chief Technology Officer at Zebra Technologies, joins Cheddar Innovates to discuss how they are creating technology to make workers' lives easier, and what the future of collaboration between robots and humans may look like.
Stock closed at record highs on the first day of trading in 2022, kicking the new year off on a strong note. Tommy Mancuso, president and co-founder of the The Bad Investment Company, joined Cheddar to discuss his optimism for the year ahead, as well as the significance of Apple hitting the $3 trillion market cap mark.
Procter & Gamble says that innovation is what it's always done best, and the company plans to showcase this with its latest products at the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show, the world's most influential technology event. The company continues to grow with the needs, and values of its customer base, which is increasingly spending more on sustainable consumer goods. To share its latest sustainability efforts, P&G is unveiling a new "Life Lab" at CES. For more on this exhibit, Marc Pritchard, Chief Brand Officer at P&G, joins Cheddar News.
