One of the coolest features of Microsoft Teams is now available to everyone

The wait is finally over as Microsoft has announced that its walkie-talkie feature in Microsoft Teams is now generally available.

The feature, first announced two years ago and previewed ever since, allows users of the software giant’s video conferencing software to use their smartphone or tablet as a walkie-talkie that can work on both a cellular or wireless connection.

While Teams’ walkie-talkie feature works on any Android smartphone by pressing and holding an on-screen button when talking and releasing the button to listen, it’s even more useful on rugged smartphones. . Indeed, many rugged smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy XCover 5 have a customizable button that can be mapped to Teams’ walkie-talkie feature so workers don’t have to unlock their phone to access push-to-talk functionality. talk.

Teams users can now test out Microsoft’s walkie-talkie feature on their Android smartphones and tablets for themselves, but the company has also gone ahead and integrated the feature into the Teams app for iOS.

Dedicated push-to-talk button

In addition to highlighting how Teams’ walkie-talkie functionality can be used on Samsung’s rugged smartphones, Microsoft also announced an extension of its strategic partnership with Zebra Technologies in a new blog post.

As a result, Teams’ walkie-talkie functionality is now generally available on a wide range of Zebra mobile devices, including its rugged TC-series, customer-focused EC-series and MC-series scanning device. However, what sets these devices apart from the rest is that they have a dedicated push-to-talk button so frontline workers can instantly and securely communicate with their teams at the push of a button.

In a separate space blog post, vice president of modern workplace verticals at Microsoft, Emma Williams explained how the company’s digital walkie-talkie feature is more secure than traditional radios, saying:

“This feature, natively integrated into Teams, reduces the number of devices employees need to carry and reduces IT costs. Unlike analog devices with insecure networks, customers no longer have to worry about crosstalk or eavesdropping from strangers. And since the walkie-talkie works over Wi-Fi or cellular data, this capability can be used in all geographic locations. »

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