Microsoft Teams has overtaken Slack as the most-used business communication tool, with 13 million daily users, compared to Slack’s 10 million. Microsoft’s success is attributed to its strategy of bundling Teams with its Office 365 package, making it a default option for many businesses. Teams also offers a free version, which has attracted smaller companies and start-ups.
This trend highlights the larger issue of tech giants copying successful features from smaller companies and integrating them into their own platforms. Facebook has been particularly aggressive in this regard, copying features from Snapchat and integrating them into Instagram.
Such practices raise significant concerns about stifling innovation and competition in the tech industry. Critics argue that these actions may discourage start-ups from developing new ideas, fearing they will be copied by larger companies. This could potentially lead to a lack of diversity and innovation in the tech market.
Despite these concerns, it is not clear whether any regulatory actions will be taken against these practices. Many believe that copying features is a natural part of competition in the tech industry and does not necessarily harm the market. The debate continues, with no clear consensus on the issue.
Go to source article: https://www.vox.com/2019/7/9/20686206/microsoft-teams-slack-facebook-snapchat-copy