The wait is finally over as Microsoft has announced it Walkie-talkie function in Microsoft Teams is now generally available.
The feature that was first announced two years ago and has been in preview ever since, letting users of the software giant know video conferencing software Use your smartphone or tablet as a walkie-talkie that can work over both a cellular and wireless connection.
While Teams walkie-talkie functionality works on all Android smartphone Pressing and holding a button on the screen while speaking and releasing the button to listen makes it even more useful rugged smartphones. That’s because many rugged smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy X Cover 5 feature a customizable button that can be mapped to Teams’ walkie-talkie feature, so employees don’t have to unlock their phones to access push-to-talk.
Teams users can now try Microsoft’s walkie-talkie feature for themselves on their Android smartphones and tablets, but the company has also built this functionality 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 has also announced an expansion of its strategic partnership with Zebra Technologies in a new one blog entry.
As a result, Teams walkie-talkie functionality is now generally available on a wide range of Zebra mobile devices, including the rugged TC Series, the customer-focused EC Series and the MC Series scanner. What sets these devices apart, however, is that they have a dedicated push-to-talk button, so frontline workers can instantly and securely communicate with their teams with the push of a button.
In a separate blog entry, Corporate Vice President of Modern Workplace Verticals at Microsoft, Emma Williams explained why the company’s digital walkie-talkie capability is more secure than traditional two-way radios:
“This functionality, natively built into Teams, reduces the number of devices employees need to carry and lowers IT costs. Unlike analog devices with insecure networks, customers no longer have to worry about crosstalk or eavesdropping by outsiders. And since Walkie Talkie works over Wi-Fi or cellular data, this feature can be used across geographic locations.”
We rounded those up too The best productivity apps, best online collaboration tools and Best Video Conferencing Software