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.
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.”
PGA Tour golf on ESPN Plus: what can I watch and how much does it cost?
Armchair golf fans in the US have never had it so good, with more live action available from the fairways online than ever before thanks to the all-new PGA Tour Live on ESPN Plus .
After a relatively barren year for big names like Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, and Rory McIlroy, and the likes of Collin Morikawa, Jon Rahm and Patrick Cantlay establishing themselves as a new top tier, 2022 looks set to be a fascinating 12 months for the sport.
So what better time to have unprecedented access to live coverage like never before?
With a frankly staggering 4,300 exclusive hours of action promised over 35 tournaments, ESPN Plus is well worth considering for any self-respecting golf fan.
So read on to find out the latest info on what ESPN Plus coverage gives you, as well as the most cost-effective ways to subscribe to the service and whether your streaming devices are compatible.
PGA Tour golf on ESPN Plus: what can I watch?
Having inked a nine-year deal said to be in the region of $680m with the PGA Tour for live rights back in 2020, ESPN Plus has now began rolling out its game-changing coverage of the sport.
The inaugural season of PGA Tour Live coverage on the streaming service will see live coverage of 35 tournaments in 2022. At least 28 of those events will have four full days of coverage and four simultaneous live feeds each day. The service will also be offering on-demand, speed round recaps plus a deep library of archive and original PGA content.
On top of all this, the network has also got its hands on exclusive live coverage of two of golf's most prestigious events - ESPN Plus will be showing 115 hours of live coverage of this year's Masters tournament from Augusta National Golf Club, while the network is also now the exclusive home for live broadcasts of the Masters Par 3 Contest. The service also boasts access to a vast on-demand archive that will give subscribers access to more than 50 hours of The Masters Films (1960-2020).
On top of that, ESPN Plus will also have more than 200 hours of live coverage of this year's PGA Championship, as well as 30 hours of library and classic content from the traditional second Major of the year.
How much does it cost to watch PGA Tour golf on ESPN Plus?
Unlike a country club membership, a subscription to ESPN Plus won't cost you a fortune.
While the much-missed ESPN Plus free trial is sadly no longer a thing, the good news remains at a fairly budget-friendly $6.99 a month or $69.99 for a whole year of access .
The big bargain however comes when taking advantage of a bundle offering that includes ESPN Plus. As the sports network is jointly owned by Disney, there's saving to be had by opting for a package that gets you Disney Plus and Hulu as well as ESPN Plus, for the knock-down monthly fee of just $13.99. You can sign up for the package by checking out Disney Plus's website here .
Taking advantage of that Disney Plus bundle deal means that as well as getting all the golf and sports content provided by ESPN Plus, you'll also unlock the doors to an unrivalled library of family entertainment including Classic Disney Animations, Pixar movies, and documentaries from National Geographic plus the entire Marvel and Star Wars film library via Disney Plus. If that wasn't enough, the deal also give you access to Hulu's not inconsiderable library of movies, TV shows and exclusive originals.
Just to underline the saying, you'd be looking at a fee of $18.97 a month, or $24.97 if you opted to subscribe to Hulu without ads, if you signed up for all three services on their own, making the $13.99 bundle charge just about the best streaming service deal there currently out there.
What other sport content can I watch on ESPN Plus?
If you're a hardcore golf fan, ESPN Plus' wall-to-wall PGA Tour coverage will probably keep you suitably occupied over the coming months, but if you're a sports fan generally, there's even more treasure at your disposal, with exclusive live action from a multitude of sports on tap.
On of the service's biggest incentives for subscription is it's exclusive coverage of UFC live streams , with the platform having the rights to live stream all of the MMA promotion's events in the US. That includes every Fight Night and numbered PPV event which are now shown on ESPN Plus (although the latter still requires viewers to pay a PPV fee for access).
Lucky subscribers also get exclusive streaming access to one NHL and MLB game per day during their respective regular seasons, as well as all out-of-market MLS matches plus a wealth of international and FA Cup soccer.
Discerning viewers fans looking to go behind the scenes of some sports biggest stories,will also be delighted to find that a subscription give you access to the entire 30 for 30 documentary library, as well as on demand access to a wide array of exclusive original sports programming including The Fantasy Show and award-winning sports analysis series Detail.
What devices can I watch PGA Tour golf on ESPN Plus with?
Alongside all that incredible content, what's also great about ESPN Plus is its wide-ranging support for a host of devices.
Its super straight-forward to watch live broadcasts and on demand content on your phone or tablet - simply download the ESPN app from either the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and sign up for the service there.
You also can watch ESPN Plus via your web browser on a PC or Mac by heading to the service's website .
If you've a streaming box connected to your TV, it shouldn't come as any surprise that ESPN Plus is available on Apple TV , Chromecast , Amazon Fire TV , as well as the Roku platform.
Games consoles also offer access to ESPN Plus, with dedicated apps for the service available for the PS5 and Xbox Series S and Series X as well as older machines such as all Xbox One models and the PS4, (but not unfortunately the Nintendo Switch).
NFL Week 18 live streams: how to watch playoffs race online and without cable
Will it be glory or agony for the Colts, Chargers, Raiders, Steelers, Ravens, 49ers and Saints? Well, now we know. Week 18 of the NFL season was the last chance saloon for all seven teams, as they shot for a remaining playoff spot and now it's time for the Super Bowl. Don't miss a moment of the action - here's how to watch Super Bowl 2022 live stream wherever you are.
The mad scramble for the AFC's last two playoff berths is looking especially tantalizing, with glorious schadenfreude on the cards for two pairs of divisional rivals.
The Jags need to pull off a major shock to knock the Colts out of contention, but stranger things have happened this season. The Chargers just about have control of their own destiny but they're arguably under the most pressure this week.
The Bolts have a showdown with the playoff-chasing Raiders, who have shown time and time again that they can never be written off. Then there's the Steelers and the Ravens who also have a flicker of hope, but the fierce AFC North rivals are also relying on other results to go their way.
Meanwhile, in the NFC, the 49ers are in touching distance of striking gold, but they've got a massive game against the revenge-seeking Rams, while the Saints face a much weaker opponent in the Falcons. Stirring stuff! Here's to how to watch an NFL Week 18 live stream for all of them wherever you are.
NFL Week 18 live streams
Saturday, January 8
Chiefs vs Broncos : ABC / ESPN / Sling / FuboTV (US) | DAZN (CA) | Sky / NFL Game Pass (UK) | Kayo Sports / NFL Game Pass (AU)
Cowboys vs Eagles : ABC / ESPN / Sling / FuboTV (US) | DAZN (CA) | Sky / NFL Game Pass (UK) | Kayo Sports / NFL Game Pass (AU)
Sunday, January 9
NFL WEEK 18 EARLY GAMES (1pm ET / 10am PT)
Packers vs Lions : Fox / Sling / FuboTV (US)| DAZN (CA) | NFL Game Pass (UK) | NFL Game Pass (AU)
Colts vs Jaguars : CBS / Paramount Plus / FuboTV (US) | DAZN (CA) | Sky / NFL Game Pass (UK) | NFL Game Pass (AU)
Washington vs Giants : Fox / Sling / FuboTV (US) | DAZN (CA) | NFL Game Pass (UK) | NFL Game Pass (AU)
Bears vs Vikings : Fox / Sling / FuboTV (US) | DAZN (CA) | NFL Game Pass (UK) | NFL Game Pass (AU)
Titans vs Texans : CBS / Paramount Plus / FuboTV (US) | DAZN (CA) | NFL Game Pass (UK) | NFL Game Pass (AU)
Steelers vs Ravens : CBS / Paramount Plus / FuboTV (US) | DAZN (CA) | NFL Game Pass (UK) | Kayo Sports / NFL Game Pass (AU)
Bengals vs Browns : Fox / Sling / FuboTV (US) | DAZN (CA) | NFL Game Pass (UK) | 7Plus / NFL Game Pass (AU)
NFL WEEK 18 AFTERNOON GAMES (4.25pm ET / 1.25pm PT)
49ers vs Rams : Fox / Sling / FuboTV (US) | DAZN (CA) | Sky / NFL Game Pass (UK) | Kayo Sports / NFL Game Pass (AU)
Panthers vs Buccaneers : CBS / Paramount Plus / FuboTV (US) | DAZN (CA) | NFL Game Pass (UK) | NFL Game Pass (AU)
Seahawks vs Cardinals : Fox / Sling / FuboTV (US ) | DAZN (CA) | NFL Game Pass (UK) | NFL Game Pass (AU)
Patriots vs Dolphins : CBS / Paramount Plus / FuboTV (US) | DAZN (CA) | NFL Game Pass (UK) | NFL Game Pass (AU)
Saints vs Falcons : Fox / Sling / FuboTV (US) | DAZN (CA) | NFL Game Pass (UK) | 7Plus / NFL Game Pass (AU)
Jets vs Bills : CBS / Paramount Plus / FuboTV (US) | DAZN (CA) | NFL Game Pass (UK) | NFL Game Pass (AU)
NFL WEEK 18 SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL (8.20pm ET / 5.20pm PT)
Chargers vs Raiders : NBC / Peacock / Sling / FuboTV (US) | DAZN (CA) | Sky / NFL Game Pass (UK) | Kayo Sports / NFL Game Pass (AU)
How to watch NFL Week 18 from outside your country
If you're away on vacation or for business and want to watch your home NFL coverage from abroad, then you'll need to use a VPN . This will help you dial in to a location back in your home country to avoid geo-blocks and regain access to the content and services you already pay for back home.
A VPN is generally perfect for this as it allows you to change your IP address so you appear to be in a completely different location when the big game is on.
Use a VPN to watch NFL Week 18 from anywhere
How to use a VPN
Using a VPN is as easy as one-two-three...
1. Download and install a VPN - as we say, our top choice is ExpressVPN .
2. Connect to the appropriate server location - open the VPN app, hit 'choose location' and select the appropriate location.
3. Go to the broadcaster's stream - head to your home broadcaster's site or app and watch as if you were at home - so that's Sling , FuboTV , Paramount Plus or Peacock if you're from the US.
How to watch NFL week 18: live stream with and without cable in the US
How to watch an NFL Week 18 live stream in Canada
How to watch NFL Week 18: live stream American Football in the UK
How to watch NFL week 18: live stream US football in Australia
NFL Week 18 schedule
Saturday, January 8
Chiefs vs Broncos : 4.30pm ET / 1.30pm PT / 9.30pm GMT / 8.30am AEDT
Cowboys vs Eagles : 8.15pm ET / 5.15pm PT / 1.15am GMT / 12.15pm AEDT
Sunday, January 9
Packers vs Lions : 1pm ET / 10am PT / 6pm GMT / 5am AEDT
Colts vs Jaguars : 1pm ET / 10am PT / 6pm GMT / 5am AEDT
Washington vs Giants : 1pm ET / 10am PT / 6pm GMT / 5am AEDT
Bears vs Vikings : 1pm ET / 10am PT / 6pm GMT / 5am AEDT
Titans vs Texans : 1pm ET / 10am PT / 6pm GMT / 5am AEDT
Steelers vs Ravens : 1pm ET / 10am PT / 6pm GMT / 5am AEDT
Bengals vs Browns : 1pm ET / 10am PT / 6pm GMT / 5am AEDT
49ers vs Rams : 4.25pm ET / 1.25pm PT / 9.25pm GMT / 8.25am AEDT
Panthers vs Buccaneers : 4.25pm ET / 1.25pm PT / 9.25pm GMT / 8.25am AEDT
Seahawks vs Cardinals : 4.25pm ET / 1.25pm PT / 9.25pm GMT / 8.25am AEDT
Patriots vs Dolphins : 4.25pm ET / 1.25pm PT / 9.25pm GMT / 8.25am AEDT
Saints vs Falcons : 4.25pm ET / 1.25pm PT / 9.25pm GMT / 8.25am AEDT
Jets vs Bills : 4.25pm ET / 1.25pm PT / 9.25pm GMT / 8.25am AEDT
Chargers vs Raiders : 8.20pm ET / 5.20pm PT / 1.20pm GMT / 12.20pm AEDT
What else can I use a VPN for other than watching NFL games?
Virtual Private Networks are very versatile. As well as letting you watch sport and TV from around the world, their encrypted nature means that the information you exchange on a daily basis online is kept safely away from prying eyes. And streaming VPNs also help to get around website blocking in certain offices, schools and even countries.
But even if you're away from your home coverage, you can always use a VPN to dial back into your country that does have a stream. A VPN is perfect for this as it allows you to change your IP address so you appear to be in a completely different location. We've tested hundreds of VPNs and can recommend these as the currently available: