Microsoft Teams for Mac and iOS now support background noise reduction

Microsoft Teams on Mac and iOS has finally added support for real-time noise cancellation. The AI-powered tool first debuted on Windows 10 as an optional feature in 2020, allowing the app to automatically suppress unwanted background noise during video calls and meetings.

The noise reduction feature is enabled by default for all Mac and iOS users. The feature uses artificial intelligence to analyze the audio feed in real time to isolate speech from unnecessary noise (such as typing on the keyboard, barking dogs or cracking food packages) that can distract meeting participants.

Since its launch, Microsoft engineers have optimized the machine learning model to improve call and meeting quality in Microsoft Teams. The experimentation process proved that better call quality helped to increase the duration of 1:1 conversations. In addition, the end of call survey shows a 32 percent decrease in complaints about end-user background noise.

“This change from defaulting to noise reduction for most calls makes this feature the most used AI feature in Microsoft Teams, but more importantly, improving the experiences for millions of users who confidently take Teams calls and meetings from any location,” said Mehrsa Golestaneh, Senior Product Manager at Microsoft.

Microsoft adds background suppression support to ARM devices

Microsoft also revealed its plans to roll out real-time background suppression support to Microsoft Teams Rooms and ARM-based devices. However, the company has not yet indicated an ETA for when the feature will be generally available on other device types.

Background noise in Teams meetings can be annoying, especially during an important conversation with senior managers or clients. The built-in noise cancellation feature is certainly a welcome addition for those working in hybrid environments. “While we are excited about the advances in team conversation quality we have achieved through machine learning and AI, we are only just beginning to realize the opportunities that lie ahead,” Microsoft said yesterday, June 7.

source: petri