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:
