What's new in the 8x8 Work for Desktop/Web 8.26 release?

With version 8.26, we’ve introduced new enhancements that make calling more flexible, improve accessibility, and enhance overall usability—especially for users without 8x8 Meet access.

Expanded conference calling access

  • Users without an 8x8 Meet license can now initiate conference calls directly from the desktop app. Broader collaboration is now possible without requiring additional licenses.

Improved accessibility

  • Screen reader support has been enhanced in 8x8 Frontdesk and general areas, offering a smoother experience for users who rely on assistive technologies.

What's new in the 8x8 Work for Desktop/Web 8.25 release?

In the 8.25 release, we have introduced enhancements that improve usability, accessibility, and compliance protection. This update ensures a more inclusive experience and safeguards your SMS communication channels from disruptions.

SMS content filtering in 8x8 Work

To comply with mobile carrier regulations, 8x8 Work for Desktop now automatically filters outbound SMS messages for restricted content. This helps prevent delivery issues and protects your SMS campaigns from suspension or delays.

8x8’s new SMS filtering helps prevent noncompliant messages from reaching carriers, protecting your brand, avoiding penalties, and improving deliverability.

All SMS messages sent through the 8x8 Work app are automatically scanned for restricted keywords before delivery:

  • Real-time scan: Messages are checked instantly for restricted terms.

  • Blocking and alert: If restricted content is found, the message is blocked and a system alert notifies the user.

    Blocked message alert: If a message contains a restricted term, it is blocked, and a system notification appears.

  • No user penalty: Only the message is blocked. Users can edit and resend it.
  • Carrier protection: Blocked messages are not delivered to carriers, reducing RCA triggers.
  • Updated keyword list: The 8x8 Fraud team maintains and updates the list based on compliance guidelines and carrier feedback.

Note: This filtering applies only to SMS sent from the 8x8 Work app and not from 8x8 Contact Center.

If users see a blocked message alert, they should:

  • Review the message for prohibited terms.
  • Remove or revise any flagged content.
  • Optionally, forward the message to their IT administrator, including the full text.

The 8x8 Fraud team will:

  • Review the flagged content.
  • Update the keyword list if needed.

Restricted content categories

SMS messages may be blocked if they contain:

  • Profanity or offensive language
  • Sexual content
  • Hate speech or discriminatory language
  • Alcohol-related promotions
  • Tobacco or vaping-related content
  • Illegal drugs (for example, cannabis, CBD, THC)
  • Firearms, weapons, or ammunition

Important! Even if cannabis is legal in some states, it is banned under federal law and not permitted in SMS messaging.

To learn more about restricted categories, see Was Your SMS Message Not Delivered?.

To learn more details about SMS content filtering, see SMS content filtering in 8x8 Work apps.

Other updates and enhancements

Seamless Status updates

  • Users can now update their availability status without delays or sync issues, ensuring real-time accuracy for colleagues and customers.

Enhanced Admin Control: Pause Assigned Queues

  • 8x8 Work administrators can now control whether users are allowed to pause their assigned queues. This enhancement supports compliance needs in regulated environments by preventing users from pausing queues when they are not permitted to do so. To learn how to control whether users are allowed to pause their call queues, see About system requirements.

Accessibility improvements

  • Enhanced screen reader support in 8x8 Frontdesk and General areas offers a smoother experience for users relying on assistive technologies.

Bug fixes

  • Various performance and stability enhancements have been made to improve reliability and ensure a more seamless user experience.

What's new in the 8x8 Work for Desktop/Web 8.24 release?

The 8.24 release introduces enhanced administrative controls and improved user experience, with a focus on AI message handling, interface consistency, and accessibility.

Clear AI-generated replies - Compose with AI

You now have more control when using AI-assisted messaging. The Compose with AI feature includes a new Clear message option that lets you remove AI-generated content before sending.

Benefits

  • Remove suggestions that don’t match your tone or intent.
  • Avoid sending inaccurate or incomplete AI drafts.

How to Use

  • Click Clear message in the composer window to delete the generated reply before sending.

Click "Clear message" to remove AI-generated content before sending

To learn how to craft expressive messages with Compose with AI, see Use IM and SMS messages - Create expressive messages with Compose with AI.

Note: AI tools and chat summaries are off by default. Admins can enable the AI feature in the 8x8 Admin Console under Work Apps Settings > General by switching the Allow the AI feature to ON. For details, see the 8x8 Admin Console - Configure Work Apps Settings.

Other updates and enhancements

Accessibility improvements

  • Enhanced accessibility for screen readers in areas such as Messaging and General.

Bug fixes

  • Various performance and stability improvements to enhance reliability.

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