Previous releases

The following features and enhancements were introduced in previous versions of 8x8 Work for Desktop (formerly known as the Virtual Office desktop app). For details on the latest new features, see our list of what's new in the current release.

Ability to block external SMS from unknown contacts

Let's say you are receiving spam SMS from an external number that is not in your contact list, and the messages are interrupting your work. You can now block the sender from sending you messages with a simple click.

Note: Only spam SMS received from external numbers that are not in your contact list can be blocked. Messages received from numbers in your contact directory cannot be blocked.

In this release, you now have the option to block SMS messages (text messages displayed in green) sent by external numbers that are not saved in your contact list. Calls and SMS messages are handled separately; blocking an SMS only blocks the number from reaching out through this particular communication channel.

To block an external SMS:

  • From the navigation menu, click Messages to view your list of chats.
  • Click the message sender you wish to block.
  • In the sender row, click for more options.

  • From the drop-down list that displays:

    • Select Block sender.
      OR
    • Select Contact info > Block sender.
  • At the prompt to confirm, click Block sender.

Once blocked, the SMS is removed from your list of chats.

Note: You may choose to block the sender from the chat window too, by clicking More Options and then, selecting Block sender from the list.

To unblock an external SMS:

Notes: To unblock an SMS sender you must remember the number you blocked.

  • From the navigation menu, select Search and type the number you wish to unblock.
  • When located, hover over the number, and click the message icon to view the messages in the Messages list.
  • Select the contact and click for more options.

  • From the drop-down list that displays:

    • Select Unblock sender.
      OR
    • Select Contact info > Unblock sender.

Once unblocked, the sender remains visible in the chat list.

Notes:
- You may choose to unblock a sender from the chat windows by clicking More Options and then, selecting Unblock sender from the list.
- Messages received after blocking a sender do not display in the chat history once a sender is unblocked.

Transfer call UI label update

Starting with 8x8 Work for Desktop 7.20, while transferring an active call to another user, the label related to the Direct Transfer icon now appears as Cold Transfer.

Improved call card design

In this release, when you receive a call, and the Calls tab in the app is not in focus, the banner notification about the incoming call displays at the top right side of the app, to align the 8x8 Work for Desktop layout with that of 8x8 Work for Web.

 

Ability to control the noise suppression for mic input

8x8 Work for Desktop now allows you to control the noise suppression for your microphone input.

While you are on a call or a meeting, and your microphone is turned on, the background noise around you might distract the participants. You can now choose one of the available levels of noise suppression:

  • None
  • Low
  • Moderate
  • High - (by default)
  • Very high

To access this option:

  • From the menu, click Call using and from the Noise suppression level list, select the option that works for you.
  • From the menu, click Settings > Audio & Video, and from the Noise suppression level list, select the option that works for you.

By default, noise suppression is set to the High level, but you can change the level anytime.

Enhanced duration for dual-tone multi-frequency tones

The tone duration for dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) has been extended. The keys play for as long as they are pressed, with a maximum duration of 3 seconds.

We are introducing the following enhancements and changes of the 8x8 Work for Desktop 7.18 release:

Optimization for Citrix for 8x8 Work for Web app

8x8 Work for Desktop now offers support for Virtualized Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), enabling you to use your own computer’s audio devices for calls in an 8x8 Work for Desktop instance running on a virtual machine! When 8x8 Work for Desktop on a virtual machine successfully connects to your computer’s audio sources, the Computer audio option in the Call using panel changes to read Computer - VDI.

Notes: Now, the optimization for Citrix:
- Is available through the Citrix Workspace desktop app as well as through the Citrix Workspace web app.
- Is available on 8x8 Work for Desktop as well as 8x8 Work for Web.
- Applies to audio for two-way calls, but not to conference calls or meetings

Enhanced call park experience

When you are on 8x8 Work for Desktop, and your receptionist from 8x8 Frontdesk parks a call for your extension, now you can pick up the parked call much quicker. Once the call is parked, you are notified through a banner notification that there is a call waiting for you, on the announced call park extension.

Simply, click Retrieve on the banner to retrieve the call parked for you. The notification also displays the caller ID or name.

Note: Only you can retrieve a call parked for your extension.

Ability to enable/disable call waiting tone

8x8 Work for Desktop now allows you to toggle the call waiting tone on/off.

While you are on a call, you may receive multiple calls at a time. The call waiting tone informs you at regular intervals of incoming calls. If you find this tone distracting, and you do not rely on audible incoming call alerts, you can now select to toggle off the call waiting tone.

To access this option:

  • Click Call using and select to toggle on/off Enable call waiting tone.
  • Click Settings > Audio & Video and select to toggle on/off Enable call waiting tone.

By default, the Enable call waiting tone toggle is On, but you can disable it anytime.

Enhance access to the results of the network connectivity test

You can test the strength of your network ahead of an important call or a meeting by running a network test via Settings > Network connectivity. In this release, we allow you to access the test details that are not obvious.

Select a specific network test instance from the list of tests, and click > to view the details.

We are introducing the following enhancements and changes of the 8x8 Work for Desktop7.17 release:

Ability to quickly set call forwarding from profile panel

Let’s say you need to leave your desk in a hurry, but want to ensure that your calls will be forwarded instead of left ringing; you now also have the ability to quickly set basic call forwarding directly from your Profile panel! Advanced call forwarding settings remain available under Settings > Account settings > Call forwarding rules.

You can toggle call forwarding on or off, and select the call forwarding destination, such as your voicemail or a teammate’s extension. While you have call forwarding enabled, a banner notification shows up as a reminder to disable call forwarding once you are able to take calls again.

Improved visibility for unread voicemails and faxes

If you have difficulty seeing which voicemails or faxes are unread in 8x8 Work (for example, on certain monitors or with Dark mode enabled), your unread voicemails or faxes are now marked with a dot to make them more obvious at a glance!

Optimization for Citrix

8x8 Work for Desktop now offers support for Virtualized Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), enabling you to use your own computer’s audio devices for calls in an 8x8 Work for Desktop instance running on a virtual machine! When 8x8 Work for Desktop on a virtual machine successfully connects to your computer’s audio sources, the Computer audio option in the Call using panel changes to read Computer - VDI.

Note: At this time, optimization for Citrix:
-Is available through the Citrix Workspace desktop app, but not the Citrix Workspace web app
-Is available on 8x8 Work for Desktop, but not 8x8 Work for Web
-Applies to audio for two-way calls, but not to conference calls or meetings

Additional changes

In addition to the above enhancements, the following items have changed in this release:

Removed integration with Plantronics Hub

You no longer need to install Plantronics Hub in order to integrate 8x8 Work call controls with your headset; starting with version 7.17 of 8x8 Work for Desktop, simply enable integrated call controls the same way you can for other supported headsets!

Removed presence status from call queues, ring groups, and auto attendants

Call queues, ring groups, and auto attendants now show up without a presence status attached.

We are introducing the following enhancements and changes in the 8x8 Work for Desktop 7.16 release:

For details on features introduced prior to this release, see our list of previous releases.

If you are an 8x8 Frontdesk user, see what's new in 8x8 Frontdesk.

Ability to run network tests

If you have an important call or meeting coming up and want to ensure that you have a good network connection, you now have the ability to run network tests from 8x8 Work for Desktop! Simply go to Settings > Network connectivity and click Run network test.

New notification for issues with chat

In the rare event that issues arise with your chat service, you now see a notification letting you know that chat functionality is temporarily limited. Once you are redirected to a new server, full functionality is restored and the notification disappears.

Enhanced EXE installer for Windows

To prevent triggering the Windows firewall upon updating, the 8x8 Work for Desktop EXE installer now no longer changes its location on your computer’s hard disk.