Microsoft has been working on several new Teams video-meeting features. The company is now trying to boost one-on-one calls with a slew of new features in Teams Phone. The company said Microsoft Teams Phone has 80 million users, adding that calls from chats are happening 50% more frequently now than this time last year.
Microsoft expects the new Teams Phone features to help make the phone blend in easily into workflows. For instance, Teams Phone now allows users to transfer between different endpoints, without interrupting calls. Users have to open the Teams app on the device the call will be transferred to and then tap it to complete the transfer.
The features reaching general availability
Teams is also getting better spam call identification, Apple CarPlay support, and one-to-one call transcription and recording, according to Redmond. Spam call identification has now reached general availability and as anticipated, should identify spam calls, while allowing legitimate calls to get through.
In addition, Teams digitally attests outcalls so they aren’t blocked by external recipients. Apple CarPlay support for Teams has also reached general availability, meaning users can join calls and meetings using a vehicle’s built-in controls or Siri for hands-free usability.
Features that fit the future
Microsoft highlighted Apple CarPlay support as one of a few feature updates coming to Teams to make the platform better for a future with potentially more hybrid work arrangements.
The transcription and recording portions come in handy for workers on the go, at a desk, or at a remote location. Teams Phone will allow users to record and capture transcription of one-to-one calls by the end of the year.
The company has also made Operator Connect generally available this week, allowing organizations to connect their Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) service to Teams with a managed experience. Find out more here.
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