Welcome back. Microsoft thinks losing commutes to remote work is a problem it can fix. LinkedIn is trying its hand at a social-media format pioneered by Snapchat. And Adobe rolled out a way to make PDFs—finally—more readable on smartphones.

Microsoft is developing an update to its Teams package of workplace-collaboration tools to replace one of the less-mourned losses of pandemic living: the commute.

The update next year will let users schedule virtual commutes at the beginning and end of each shift. Instead of recreating packed subways, trains or highways at 8 a.m. or 6 p.m., though, it will prompt homebound users to set goals in the morning and reflect on the day in the evening.

The idea is to help rebuild the boundaries between work and home, and in that sense represents Teams’ move into employee wellness, the Journal’s Katie Deighton reports.

But some are skeptical about the technology’s ability to help people log off, because people will still be logged in.

“I wonder if the ticking off of tasks would still keep us in work mode too much,” said Daniel Cable, a professor of organizational behavior. “I think a lot of people would just try to finish off that one last email."

Related: Companies are using virtual-reality headsets to get their remote workers back together. [WSJ]

LinkedIn rolled out new features including its own version of stories, the ephemeral social-media posting format pioneered by Snapchat. 

The company wants to expand people’s image of LinkedIn to include conversations and human connections, not just job hunts, reports Ann-Marie Alcántara. In testing, users created LinkedIn stories about everything from product launches to new work-from-home desk setups.

But some people are skeptical that the format is a fit for a professional social network.

“Most people don’t feel safe being candid on LinkedIn and that’ll likely be true when we consider if we’d actually post a LinkedIn story,” said Jack Appleby, a social media strategist.

Related: Some advice for using stories on LinkedIn. [BI] 

Almost thirty years after introducing PDFs, Adobe is trying to make them easier to use on smartphones.

PDFs have become the de facto standard for electronic documents, but they have lagged technological changes particularly in meshing with mobile devices, leaving users either squinting or zooming in to see miniature text.

Now Adobe is helping the PDF catch up with features such as AI-fueled automatic outlines for easier navigation, Ann-Marie Alcántara writes.

The update means some creators will need to be more thoughtful to ensure their documents are readable by the technology, said Michael Cleary, chief executive and co-founder of Huemor Designs, a design agency.

“There’s going to be PDFs that are not going to translate that well,” he said.

The Wall Street Journal is planning a virtual Experience Management Forum on Nov. 9, and we would like to get your opinion on which topics to cover in the breakout sessions.

These sessions will allow attendees to go deeper in smaller groups with our guest experts. Click here to help us choose among subjects like replacing physical experiences during the pandemic, the growth of enterprise UX and the employee at home.

Amazon’s newest retail payment system lets shoppers pay with a scan of their hands. [Pymnts.com] 

Disney+ joined the socially-distanced coviewing trend with GroupWatch, a feature that lets up to seven subscribers watch and react to shows and movies together. [Deadline] 

Here are the new emojis in Apple’s latest version of iOS. [9to5Mac] 

The Journal’s Jason Gay attended a fanless Patriots-Raiders game to experience the NFL’s surreal new normal. [WSJ]

Publicis Sapient Chief Experience Officer John Maeda left the company to join a tech company focused on disaster management, including the Covid-19 crisis. [Adweek]