What's new in the 8x8 Work for Desktop/Web 8.23 release?

In the 8x8 Work for Desktop 8.23 release, we have introduced enhanced administrative controls and improved compliance for Video Elevation. Key updates include:

Control over the Do not disturb status visibility

Admins can now manage whether users can view or set the Do not disturb (DND) status and calendar-based availability in the 8x8 Work for Desktop app. This helps ensure agents stay reachable for queued calls in 8x8 Engage and prevents misuse of DND to block call routing.

Configuration Options

Admins can configure DND visibility in two ways:

  • Globally via the 8x8 Admin Console: Navigate to Work Apps Settings > Allow users to set Do not Disturb under Status.

    Note: By default, the setting is enabled. Disable the setting to hide DND status and calendar-driven options for all users. To learn how to manage settings for 8x8 Work applications, see Configure Work Apps Settings.

  • Per User via configuration file: Update the user’s 8x8-work-config.json:

    json

    {

    “allow-to-not-disturb”: false

    }

    Note: Deploy this file to the user’s machine only after setting the preference. To learn more about setting system requirements per user by 8x8 Work admins, see About system requirements.

When DND is disabled, users will no longer see:

  • Do not disturb status on their Profile Page

    Administrators can control the visibility of the 'Do not disturb' presence status on the user Profile Page

  • Do not disturb preview when hovering over the 8x8 Work icon in the system taskbar

    Administrators can control the visibility of the ‘Do not disturb’ status on the preview app when hovering over the 8x8 Work icon in the system taskbar

  • Set my status to Do not disturb in Calendar & Settings panel

    Work Apps Settings: Administrators can control the visibility of the ‘Set mu status to Do not disturb’ status on the calendar & Settings panel for all users within 8x8 Work for Desktop

To learn how to manage settings for 8x8 Work applications, see 8x8 Admin Console - Configure Work Apps Settings.

Guidance on enforcing E.164 format for Video Elevation in 8x8 Engage

When inviting participants to a Video Elevation session in 8x8 Engage, phone numbers must follow the international E.164 format:

Start with a + plus sign, followed by the country code and number. The full number has no spaces, dashes, or parentheses.

Example:

+14155552671

A reminder tip now appears under the To field to enter the number in the international format. If the number is not properly formatted, delivery fail silently.

Video Elevation invitation in 8x8 Engage - The Video Elevation invitation must include phone numbers adhering to the international E.164 format

To learn more about sending Video Elevation invites, see Communication with your contacts using Video Elevation.

Other updates and enhancements in version 8.23

  • Improved Accessibility: Enhanced support for screen readers in the Messages view and General settings, improving navigation and usability for visually impaired users.
  • AI-Powered Writing Assistance: Smart suggestions to help users compose and refine replies when editing messages.
  • Personalized Chat Summaries: AI-generated summaries now respond in the user’s selected language, supporting better multilingual engagement.

Note: All AI-assisted writing tools and chat summaries are disabled by default. Administrators must explicitly enable it in the Work Apps Settings section of the 8x8 Admin Console by toggling on the Allow hat AI feature option, under General. For more details, refer to 8x8 Admin Console - Configure Work Apps Settings.

What's new in the 8x8 Work for Desktop/Web 8.22 release?

In this 8x8 Work for Desktop 8.22 release for Beta users, we have introduced the following enhancements:

Rebranding 8x8 Work for Desktop and Web

The new brand identity refreshes the 8x8 Work desktop and web applications, bringing a modern and vibrant experience that reflects the company's commitment to innovation and a customer-centric approach.

  • Updated colours: A vibrant, diverse palette enhances visual appeal and freshness.

  • New illustrations: Provide 8x8 Work users with a vibrant visual language that enhances their experience, making navigating and understanding features easier.

    8x8 Work for Desktop - New illustrations bring a modern and vibrant experience

  • New logo and app icon: These have been redesigned to reflect the evolution of the 8x8 brand.

    8x8 Work for Dekstop - The new brand identity refreshes the desktop and web applications, bringing a modern and vibrant experience

  • The same great features now accompany a brand-new aesthetic, including a completely redesigned and modernized user interface that offers a fresh and enhanced user experience.

Ability to create expressive messages with AI Writing Tools

A new AI Writing Tools feature has been integrated into the chat area, allowing users to create efficient and expressive messages.

Note: The AI Writing Tools feature is disabled by default. Administrators can enable it in the Work Apps Settings section of the 8x8 Admin Console by toggling on the Allow AI in Chat option.

Messages - Create efficient and expressive messages with AI Writing Tools

The chat input area now features an AI Writing Tools button and a list of tools designed to help you craft the perfect message:

  • Generate Reply: Instantly creates a response.
  • Professional: Maintains a formal and polished tone.
  • Casual: Keeps the message relaxed and conversational.
  • Sympathetic: Adds warmth and empathy.
  • Expand: Adds more detail and depth.
  • Shorten: Makes the message concise and straight to the point.
  • Rephrase: Improves the submitted response.
  • Original: Restores the original response.

Messages - Enhance your reply with AI writing toolsMessages - Rephrase your response with AI writing tools for improvement

To learn more about how to send and receive messages, see Use IM and SMS messages.

Note: A Generate Reply option has been added to the More menu for any text message, making responses quicker and easier.

Messages - Use Generate reply in the More menu to reply to any message

Other enhancements

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

What's new in the 8x8 Work for Desktop/Web 8.21 release?

In this 8x8 Work for Desktop 8.21 release, we introduced the following enhancements:

Enhanced experience for uploading a profile picture

When users upload a profile picture that exceeds our size limit of 10 MB, they will receive a warning message detailing the reason for the unsuccessful upload. Previously, the image would fail to upload without any notification.

To learn more about configuring the profile picture, see Set your profile image.

Profile picture - If users try to upload a profile picture exceeding the size limit, a warning message will be displayed to explain why the upload failed.

Other enhancements

  • Enhanced accessibility for screen readers in areas such as Messages and General.
  • When agents use 8x8 Work as their softphone endpoint for the 8x8 Contact Center, the X button on the incoming Contact Center calls info pop-up is unavailable.

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