488801 – Microsoft Teams: Notify collaborators in chat that are in the office using new mention type @nearby (archived)

Product:

Teams

Platform:

Mac, Web, Windows Desktop, World tenant

Status:

Cancelled

Change type:

Links:

Details:

We are not releasing this feature at this time. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Enhance in-office collaboration with Microsoft Teams’ new @nearby mention type. Easily notify teammates who are physically present in the office, streamlining communication and fostering real-time connections. Perfect for quick discussions or impromptu meetings, @nearby keeps your team aligned and efficient. #MicrosoftPlaces

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability

Created:
2025-05-02

updated:
2025-12-04

Docu to Check

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MS workload name

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summary for non-techies**

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Direct effects for Operations**

Feature Cancellation Impact
The cancellation of the @nearby mention feature may lead to decreased in-office collaboration efficiency, as users will not be able to easily notify colleagues present in the office, potentially resulting in missed communication opportunities.
   - roles: Team Members, Office Managers
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/blog/2023/10/01/announcing-new-features-in-microsoft-teams/

User Experience Impact
Without the @nearby feature, users may experience frustration and confusion when trying to engage with colleagues in the office, leading to a decline in user satisfaction and productivity.
   - roles: End Users, IT Support Staff
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/blog/2023/10/01/announcing-new-features-in-microsoft-teams/

Configutation Options**

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explanation for non-techies**

Imagine you're in a large office building with multiple floors and departments. You want to quickly gather a few colleagues for an impromptu meeting or discussion. Traditionally, you might walk around to find them or send a group email hoping they see it in time. This can be time-consuming and inefficient.

Microsoft Teams was working on a feature called @nearby, which would have been like having a virtual office assistant who knows exactly where everyone is. If you wanted to notify people who are physically present in the office, you could use this feature to send a quick message that only alerts those nearby. It’s like standing in the middle of the office and calling out to those within earshot, but through your computer or phone.

Unfortunately, this feature isn't being released at the moment. But the idea was to make it easier to connect with colleagues who are in the same location, enhancing real-time collaboration without the need for emails or long message threads. It would have been particularly useful for quick chats or when you need to pull people together for a spontaneous meeting. While this specific feature isn't available, Teams still offers various ways to communicate and collaborate effectively, whether you're in the office or working remotely.