Microsoft is retiring Teams' "Together Mode," citing it "increases cognitive load for users" and steering users toward Gallery mode.

Microsoft is retiring the "Together Mode" from Teams, originally introduced during the pandemic to foster a sense of connection.
The decision, effective June 30, stems from findings that it "increases cognitive load for users," as noted by Microsoft product manager Katarina Tranker in a blog post.
Studies indicated heightened brainwave activity among users of the mode, sparking concerns over its effectiveness.
"The mode also adds implementation complexity across platforms," Microsoft explained, highlighting issues like choppy video experiences on devices with limited processing power.
With many users previously expressing dissatisfaction with Teams due to its complexity, the retirement of Together Mode aims to address this by moving to Gallery mode, which supports smoother video on modest devices.
Microsoft emphasizes that Gallery mode will allow for enhancements like "super-resolution, denoising and improved color accuracy" while simplifying the meeting interface.
As organizations pivot towards more streamlined tools for both remote and hybrid work settings, ditching Together Mode could signal a shift towards a better user experience in digital collaboration.
Critics remain cautious, noting that Microsoft must redirect resources towards foundational improvements to avoid further user dissatisfaction.
"Ditching Together could help with both of those issues," provided Microsoft focuses on the enhancements it promises.

Microsoft is retiring Teams' "Together Mode" due to concerns it "increases cognitive load for users" and complicates implementation across platforms. Beginning June 30, users are encouraged to transition to Gallery mode, which promises smoother video performance and a simplified interface for collaboration.