Microsoft has announced the release of the public preview version of the Loop collaborative workspaces application , which aims to make it easier to work on and organize projects.
The Loop interface offers a blank canvas that supports different types of inputs, allowing the user basic features such as writing notes and adding images, and more advanced features such as support for writing to-do lists, attaching Microsoft Word files, emails from Outlook, and more, so that the user can access all the information needed for his project from one place.
The Loop application combines three basic elements: Components, Workspaces, and Pages.
A key feature of the Loop is Components, which are portable pieces of content that can be created, edited, and shared in any Microsoft 365 application. Components can be scripts, tables, or to-do lists. If the user creates a component in the Loop and shares it to another application such as Teams or Outlook, the component remains synchronized across all of those applications, and can be edited directly within any of them.
Workspaces are the interfaces through which all the components a user needs for a project can be gathered in one place. Multiple pages can be created within a workspace to organize content by topic. Pages or content items can also be dragged and dropped to rearrange the workspace.
Pages are where components can be created using ready-made templates to get started quickly, or by starting from scratch with a blank page.
The application allows users to create and edit content collaboratively with team members regardless of the devices they are using, and the user can see the names of other users who are working on editing the same project and chat with them. Loop also offers a project and task management tool that enables the user to track project implementation stages and progress.
Microsoft said it is testing support for the artificial intelligence system for Office applications Microsoft 365 Copilot within the Loop, to help the user write texts and find new ideas and answers to their questions.
Microsoft had revealed Loop for the first time in November of 2021 with a trial version that was not available to the public. Today, the company announced the launch of the open beta version, which all users can access and try through this link .