Earlier this year Microsoft was rumored to be getting ready to buy Slack for $8 billion, but the company eventually decided against it. Since then, we’ve learned that Microsoft is working on its own productivity chat app, originally called Skype Teams, but which now has been rebranded as Microsoft Teams.
Thanks to some well-timed leaks, we know that Microsoft’s upcoming chatting app is focused on Office clients and professional users. In terms of features, Microsoft Teams, as it’s now called, comes with many of the standard functions for such apps like chatting, image support, document support, team organization, calendars and so on. The system also integrates with the company’s other services like OneNote, OneDrive and Skype.
As mentioned above, the app’s original name was Skype Teams, but Microsoft seems to have rebranded now. The Microsoft Teams URL and moniker have shown up recently, spotted by Walking Cat, with previous Skype Teams domains now redirecting to the generic-named ones. This is likely a good branding move on Microsoft’s part, as the program seems destined to be part of Office, and shouldn’t fall under the user-facing Skype brand.
Interestingly enough, the new Microsoft-branded domain, which you can visit here, points to a delayed introduction on iOS. Visiting the website from an iOS Safari browser shows this message: “ We are actively working on calling support on this device. In the meantime please join the meeting on Windows or Mac client”.
This fits in well with previous rumors that suggested Microsoft was looking to introduce Teams in beta form this fall, possibly as soon as next week’s Office event, with a full launch coming early next year.
Source: Walking Cat