Microsoft and The NBA Team Up to Bring Fans Courtside From Their Homes

NBA fans rejoice! Thanks to the partnership between Microsoft and the NBA, fans will soon be “Together” watching their favorite game once again—in a new and familiar environment—namely their own homes!

Earlier this year, the National Basketball Association (NBA) announced that it would be going on a “30-day hiatus” as the coronavirus had made its way around the US. Doing so gave officials time to discuss what their plan would be in terms of continuing with the season and keeping fans and players safe at the games. Thanks to the power of technology, they may have found the perfect solution.

Microsoft, one of the many companies that offers a collaborative virtual meeting space, recently announced a new mode, appropriately named “Together”. Together Mode allows users to cast themselves, with the power of AI, into a virtual meeting space that is both collaborative and engaging. The AI-powered feature projects a live avatar of the user from the shoulders up to provide a better experience for business teams who frequently meet virtually.

According to The Verge, 17-foot tall LED screens will wrap around the basketball courts, providing a way for players and fans to interact with each other in real time. Microsoft promises fans that they will still feel the same level of engagement as they would if they were sitting court-side at the game. Attendees will be able to hear every sneaker and every ball dribble thanks to the level of immersion that Microsoft and the NBA are providing fans.