SUMMARY
- In response to EU concerns, Microsoft will offer Teams-free bundles starting October 1st.
- Teams, launched in 2017, gained traction for its seamless communication during the pandemic.
- Microsoft commits to increased app interoperability and integration with competing services.
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Hold onto your virtual office chairs, folks! Microsoft's making some big moves. In response to antitrust eyebrow-raises from the European Union, Microsoft has decided to set its chat and videoconference darling, Teams, free from its Microsoft 365 bundle.
For those in the European Economic Area and Switzerland, come October 1st, this decision will manifest in the form of a 24 euro ($26) annual discount for those choosing the package sans Teams.
Teams, the brainchild introduced in 2017, quickly became the office MVP during the pandemic, making virtual communications a breeze. But with great success comes scrutiny. The EU regulators have been side-eyeing Microsoft for potentially giving Teams an unfair home-field advantage by bundling it with other popular office tools like Word and Excel.
While the investigation continues, Microsoft is making moves to be more inclusive. They're doubling down on making sure their apps play nice with others and enhancing the versatility of Microsoft 365 and Office 365. Nanna-Louise Linde, a big wig at Microsoft Europe, tipped her hat to the discussions with the European Commission and emphasized the company's commitment to addressing these concerns. And while the EU gave Microsoft's announcement a stoic nod, there’s no denying the tech giant’s proactive stance on ensuring everyone gets a fair shot in the digital workplace.
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