Microsoft Teams is a collaboration application within the Microsoft 365 suite. It provides workspace chat, video conferencing, file storage, and integrates various applications. Teams facilitates communication and collaboration for businesses and organizations, enabling users to connect and work together efficiently. It is a central hub for teamwork, streamlining workflows and enhancing productivity by bringing together communication, content, and tools in a single platform.
August 29, 2007: Microsoft Acquires Parlano
On August 29, 2007, Microsoft acquired Parlano, including its persistent group chat product, MindAlign.
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March 4, 2016: Microsoft Considers Buying Slack
On March 4, 2016, Microsoft considered bidding $8 billion for Slack but ultimately decided against it, opting to improve Skype for Business instead.
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November 2, 2016: Microsoft Teams Announced
On November 2, 2016, Microsoft publicly announced Teams as a direct competitor to Slack at an event in New York.
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March 14, 2017: Microsoft Teams Launched Worldwide
On March 14, 2017, Microsoft Teams was launched worldwide, led by Brian MacDonald.
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May 2017: Teams to Replace Microsoft Classroom
In May 2017, Microsoft announced that Teams would replace Microsoft Classroom in Office 365 Education.
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July 12, 2018: Free Version of Teams Announced
On July 12, 2018, Microsoft announced a free version of Teams, offering most communication options without charge, but with limitations on users and storage.
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January 2019: Teams Update for Firstline Workers
In January 2019, Microsoft released an update targeting "Firstline Workers" to improve Teams' interoperability between different computers for retail workers.
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September 2019: Skype for Business Phased Out
In September 2019, Microsoft announced that Skype for Business would be phased out in favor of Teams.
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December 2019: Teams for Linux Public Preview
In December 2019, Microsoft released a public preview of Microsoft Teams for Linux.
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March 19, 2020: Teams Daily Users Surge
On March 19, 2020, Microsoft announced that Teams had reached 44 million daily users, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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July 2020: Mixer Integration with Teams
In July 2020, Microsoft shut down its video game livestreaming service Mixer and announced its developers would integrate some of its technology into Teams.
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2020: Partnership with KUDO
In 2020, Microsoft partnered with KUDO, a cloud-based solution with language interpretation, to allow integrated language meeting controls within Microsoft Teams.
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July 31, 2021: Skype for Business Online Discontinued
On July 31, 2021, Hosted Skype for Business Online was discontinued.
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June 2022: AI-Powered Audio Improvements
In June 2022, Microsoft Teams released an update using AI to improve call audio by eliminating background feedback loops and canceling non-vocal audio.
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August 2022: Chat with Yourself Feature
In August 2022, the Microsoft Teams chat feature was updated to include "chat with yourself", allowing organization of files, notes, comments, images, and videos within a private chat tab.
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January 2023: Teams Monthly Users
In January 2023, Microsoft Teams had approximately 280 million monthly users.
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July 2023: EU Anti-Trust Investigation Opened
In July 2023, the EU Commission initiated an anti-trust investigation into Microsoft, examining whether it unfairly leveraged its office suite market power to boost Teams sales and harm competitors.
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June 2024: EU Commission Charges Microsoft with Antitrust Violations
In June 2024, the EU Commission charged Microsoft with antitrust violations for bundling Microsoft Teams into the Office suite.
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