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Microsoft 365 updates tackle a major elephant in the room
Microsoft has announced a range of updates for its productivity and collaboration software designed to address common challenges faced by workers in customer-facing roles.
The updates were informed by new research conducted by the firm, which suggests that frontline workers (who make up 80% of the global workforce) are too often overlooked when it comes to software deployment.
The survey found that the majority (63%) of frontline workers are excited about the opportunities technology creates, but many (55%) have had little support from their organization when it comes to adopting new tools. Meanwhile, 60% of those surveyed said their company could better prioritize culture and communication, and more than half said they did not feel valued as employees.Â
Microsoft believes technology will be crucial in establishing a line of communication between upper management and staff on the ground.
New Microsoft 365 features
Since the start of the pandemic, Microsoft has worked to deliver new functionality for its various software and services in an increasingly competitive market. However, the majority of these improvements have been geared towards so-called knowledge workers, rather than employees out in the field.
In the face of this new data, the company has developed a number of updates for its Microsoft 365 suite that it hopes will go some way to addressing the imbalance.
For example, Microsoft has announced the general availability of a new feature for Microsoft Teams that allows frontline workers (and anyone else) to use their smartphone or tablet as a walkie talkie, provided they have access to Wi-Fi or mobile data.
The firm has also partnered with rugged smartphone manufacturer Zebra Technologies, which has integrated a dedicated Microsoft Teams push-to-talk button into some of its handsets.
Separately, Microsoft Teams can now be used by frontline workers to manage scheduled appointments, providing customers with real-time updates on wait times, missed appointments and staffing delays to create a more transparent experience.
Finally, Microsoft has rolled out a number of improvements for Viva, its employee experience platform. The updates will give non-office-based workers easy access to payroll, HR and training resources, which should help businesses establish a more consistent culture.
“It’s no secret that the pandemic is reshaping work for all workers, and at a faster pace than we have ever seen,†said Emma Williams, Corporate VP at Microsoft.
“Empowering frontline workers remains essential for digital transformation. If done well, we believe technology can modernize workflows and enhance job performance while also improving workplace culture and communication.â€
- Also check out our list of the best video conferencing software
Date
13 Jan 2022Sources
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The cheapest iPad mini prices, deals, and sales in October 2021
Read MoreWe're seeing the biggest shakeup in the world of iPad mini deals following the announcement of the new iPad mini. It's set for release later this month and represents a massive upgrade over the previous model from 2019. We don't expect to see many (if any) offers on the new model, but it could mean a great iPad mini deal on the last generation version.
The starting price of the iPad mini (2021) is $499/£479 – a considerable jump up from the older version. Surprisingly, though, Amazon slashed $39 off the new iPad mini in the US during the pre-order phase. Unfortunately, this offer has since expired now the new tablet has launched, but we'll be keeping an eye out for its return during Black Friday 2021.
The price increase is justified by a larger 8.3-inch screen, 12MP front and back cameras, and the new A15 Bionic chip that gives the tablet a massive 40% CPU and 80% GPU performance upgrade. Effectively, it's more in line with what you would expect from an iPad Air, albeit in a much smaller form factor.
Now, if you're OK with going for something a little older, it could be a great opportunity to snag a bargain on the 2019 iPad mini at around $299. We haven't spotted any standout discounts just yet, but there could be something in this year's Black Friday iPad deals if retailers look to clear stock of the older model.
Of course, there are cheaper small tablets out there, however with Apple's excellent OS and Retina display on this machine, it's certainly in its own class. So, here are all the best iPad Mini prices available right now - but if you are after something a bit bigger, be sure to check out our regular iPad deals page.
(Image credit: Apple) The new 2021 iPad mini was the highlight of the recent Apple Showcase. It's been two years since a refresh of this model and it seems like it was well worth the wait.
When looking at pure improvements over the 2019 mini the numbers really speak for themselves. Thanks to the A15 Bionic chip, you'll see a 40% CPU and 80% GPU performance upgrade. The front and rear cameras have been massively improved up to 12MP, while the new tablet will support Touch ID and sport a USB-C port.
Many consider it to be in line with the iPad Air but in a smaller form factor. Of course, all those upgrades come at a price. The 2021 iPad mini is priced at $499/£479, so it's clearly an expensive bit of kit. We've spotted a few pre-order deals that have taken around $40 off the price, but it's likely going to be Black Friday when we see the best iPad deals next.
(Image credit: Apple) The 2019 iPad Mini came with a starting price of $399 / £399 / AU$599. Of course, the device itself benefited from upgraded spec and a better screen over the older models, although you'd be forgiven for not seeing much difference in the look of the device.
The updated Retina screen has a 2048 x 1536 resolution, which is seriously intense for a 7.9-inch screen. The battery will keep you going for a superb 10 hours of web surfing and media playback. You're getting the A12 Bionic Chip under the hood, first seen on the iPhone X - so nothing too old to run the latest iPad OS. If the regular iPads are a bit too big for you, but you want something bigger than your phone for long reads, browsing the net or watching video content, the latest iPad Mini is going to take some beating as one of the best devices you can get.
You'll also be able to use the Apple Pencil with the iPad Mini 5, so it might be worth checking out the cheapest Apple Pencil prices and deals available now.
Is the iPad Mini price worth it?
If you're going for performance and display quality, the iPad Mini might not be the tablet for you. At a good deal more than the latest 8th generation iPad, you're going to be picking up older specs for more cash and that's never a good thing. However, if you prefer that smaller form factor over the larger 10.1-inch devices making up the rest of Apple's tablet line up, then the iPad Mini is your only option.
That A12 Bionic chip will still hold its own today, and the entry level 64GB RAM is also double that of the 8th generation iPad which is, in itself, a pretty serious consideration. To get that level of storage on the newer releases you'll be paying just over $400 / £400 for a 128GB device. If you don't quite need that much room, then, the iPad Mini is a worthy investment.
When can you find iPad Mini deals available?
iPad Mini deals are usually an ongoing affair, with a few dollars or pounds shaved off the original MSRP at a range of retailers. However, you'll find more significant discounts during bigger sales periods - in particular during Amazon Prime Day, September's Back To School discounts, and across Black Friday and Cyber Monday in November.
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