Microsoft Teams Gets New Features, including Full Walkie Talkie Launch

Microsoft Teams by Juliana Luwoye on January 13, 2022 add comment 401 views

Microsoft Teams is getting some interesting new features this week and over the next month. Microsoft says the Walkie Talkie feature is reaching all users (via The Verge), while notification muting on calls is coming soon. Furthermore, Teams Consumer and Teams for business are getting a communication integration.

Let’s start with the Walkie Talkie feature in Microsoft Teams. Microsoft says the tool is coming to all users of the Teams app starting today. This has been a long time coming considering the ability was first announced two years ago in January 2020.

It is worth noting the feature has made its way in preview to Samsung devices and Teams Phones in that time. However, with the full launch every Teams user will have access to Walkie Talkie. The tool gives users the ability to communicate with each other within an organization. Specifically, it is a push-to-talk feature for cloud-based voice communication.

Working through Wi-Fi or cellular connection, the Walkie Talkie feature enables frontline workers to connect securely on their smartphone. The idea is to bring one less device.

Mute Notifications on Calls

Elsewhere in the world of Teams, Microsoft has updated its Microsoft 365 message center with news of a small but important new feature. Specifically, users will soon be able to mute notifications during Microsoft Teams calls.

“Users will be able to mute notifications during meetings thereby helping focus during meetings. A user can choose to mute notifications for all meetings or per meeting basis,” Microsoft says.

Microsoft Teams is getting some interesting new features this week and over the next month. Microsoft says the Walkie Talkie feature is reaching all users (via The Verge), while notification muting on calls is coming soon. Furthermore, Teams Consumer and Teams for business are getting a communication integration. Let’s start with the Walkie Talkie feature in Microsoft Teams. Microsoft says the tool is coming to all users of the Teams app starting today. This has been a long time coming considering the ability was first announced two years ago in January 2020. It is worth noting the feature has made its way in preview to Samsung devices and Teams Phones in that time. However, with the full launch every Teams user will have access to Walkie Talkie. The tool gives users the ability to communicate with each other within an organization. Specifically, it is a push-to-talk feature for cloud-based voice communication. Working through Wi-Fi or cellular connection, the Walkie Talkie feature enables frontline workers to connect securely on their smartphone. The idea is to bring one less device. Mute Notifications on Calls Elsewhere in the world of Teams, Microsoft has updated its Microsoft 365 message center with news of a small but important new feature. Specifically, users will soon be able to mute notifications during Microsoft Teams calls. "Users will be able to mute notifications during meetings thereby helping focus during meetings. A user can choose to mute notifications for all meetings or per meeting basis," Microsoft says. The company adds this feature will drop in February. Communication Link Finally, Microsoft has also announced Teams Consumer and Teams for business users will now be able to communicate with each other. This has been in preview since November but will be becoming widely available in “mid-January.” "With this update Teams users in your organization will be able to start a 1:1 or a group chat with Teams users who are using their personal accounts and vice-versa," Microsoft explains.

The company adds this feature will drop in February.

Communication Link

Finally, Microsoft has also announced Teams Consumer and Teams for business users will now be able to communicate with each other. This has been in preview since November but will be becoming widely available in “mid-January.”

“With this update Teams users in your organization will be able to start a 1:1 or a group chat with Teams users who are using their personal accounts and vice-versa,” Microsoft explains.

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Source Winbuzzer