As part of the Ignite 2020 conference, Microsoft has introduced a variety of exciting new updates to the Microsoft Teams experience. Users can enjoy an updated Microsoft Teams Phones experience, complete with a convenient user interface to match their schedule. There are also various updates to Microsoft Teams calling and chat.
One of the interesting arrivals to appear in the Microsoft portfolio this season is the Walkie Talkie app. This convenient push-to-talk application provides access to instant communication for the entire team. Now available in Android, the app permits users to communicate with their teams quickly and effectively, using the channels they’re members in.
Only users who connect to the Walkie Talkie app in a channel and become participants can communicate with Push-to-Talk, and only one person can speak at a time. This new solution is part of Microsoft’s range of tools intended to support firstline workers in any environment.
Getting Started with Teams Walkie Talkie
The Walkie Talkie Teams app turns a work telephone into an instant communications device, so you don’t need to carry bulky radios wherever you go. The solution works with any cell internet connection or WiFi link.
Currently, Microsoft isn’t offering Walkie Talkie as a pre-installed application for Teams. You’ll need to enable this feature for your company and add it to the App Setup Policy assigned in the Teams Admin centre. Once the feature is enabled, you can access it within the Teams Android app (usually within 48 hours)
To add Walkie Talkie to your Microsoft Teams app list, go into the Teams app, then Setup policies, and switch on Allow user pinning. Under the Pinned Apps section, you can Add Apps to find Walkie Talkie. Click the Add button next to your name to add it to your list.
The Walkie Talkie app should appear on the Pinned Apps list, available as soon as you click the Save button.
How to Use Walkie Talkie
To access Microsoft Teams Walkie Talkie, click on the app in your navigation bar. If you don’t see this app when you open Microsoft Teams, you might need to swipe up from the bottom of the screen, or click on the More options tab.
You can pin Walkie Talkie to your own navigation bar in Teams by simply dragging the service from the More Apps section of Edit Navigation into the top section of your screen.
To connect to a channel, click on the right-facing arrow next to the Channel tab, and select the channel that you want to listen into, or speak on. Tap the Connect button that appears. You can instantly see the number of people in a channel by looking at the number next to the little figures next to the channel. You can also tap on the users icon to see who’s connected.
What Network Conditions Do You Need?
Walkie Talkie in Teams provides a convenient experience for Microsoft Teams users that want to access a quick and convenient way to communicate. The service requires an internet connection with the following conditions for an optimal experience:
- Latency: <300 MS
- Jitter: <30 MS
- Packet loss: <1%
If you’re not sure about your network capacity, speak to your network provider or talk to the Microsoft Teams experts for advice on preparing your solution for Microsoft Teams Walkie Talkie. The Microsoft specialists suggest that expected data usage with Walkie Talkie will generally be around 20 KB/s when you’re sending or receiving audio. When the application is idle, the data usage from Walkie Talkie should be negligible.
What Kind of Devices Can You Use?
Microsoft Teams Walkie Talkie provides frontline workers with a convenient way to access the communication they need on the move. Even when your smart phone or business phone is locked, you can still accept calls and speak to colleagues using specialist devices. There will need to be a push to talk button on your chosen device to access this functionality.
Microsoft recommends considering headsets for your business phones like the wired Klein Electronics headset, or the Jabra BlueParrott wireless headsets. If you prefer to use rugged phones for a more comprehensive experience, you can consider the Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro.
Notably, certain advanced features might require further licensing for your team. For instance, integration with the Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro requires a license with Knox.
Making the Most of Microsoft Teams Walkie Talkie
Microsoft Teams Walkie Talkie is a powerful solution for today’s front-line workers and people on the move. With Walkie Talkie, employees will have access to a convenient push-to-talk feature, without having to worry about carrying a bulky radio with them at all times.
Microsoft is giving admins plenty of control over the Walkie Talkie function, with settings available in the App Policies tab. If your employees are using mobile data to access Teams and communicate with their team, then Walkie Talkie will also use this data.
Walkie Talkie for Microsoft Teams works well in situations with limited bandwidth, and situations where your smartphone is connected and operating as normal. However, Walkie Talkie cannot work without any internet connectivity at all. Teams will need to ensure that they prepare their employees with the right connection options to support them through apps like Walkie Talkie.
You can explore the features of Microsoft Teams Walkie Talkie as part of the Teams app for Android now, or check out the latest details on the Microsoft website.
