Using a Bluetooth headset on Microsoft Teams finally gets a lot easier

Control Microsoft Teams calls with Bluetooth audio devices without a dongle

Making sure you’re fully engaged in your Microsoft Teams call is about to get a whole lot easier thanks to a new feature coming to the platform.

The company is rolling out an update to its video conferencing service that makes it easier than ever to manage aspects of calls using a Bluetooth device.

The upgrade means that users can now use a Bluetooth headset or speakerphone to answer or end a Microsoft Teams call without scrambling for the “end call” button, which can often result in uncomfortable pauses.

Microsoft Teams Bluetooth headsets

The update means that Microsoft Teams users can now use the buttons on a connected Bluetooth device to control their call, with features such as answer, end or put the call on hold during the initial rollout.

These devices don’t even need a USB dongle when connected to a Windows PC running Teams desktop client, and Microsoft says this will work for many headsets and speakerphones without requiring any user action to enable other than pairing the device with the PC.

It appears that only certain devices will be able to use the feature to begin with, with Microsoft noting that users should stay tuned to the certification page for additional information on devices that have been tested to meet all certification criteria with native Bluetooth connectivity soon.

The official Microsoft 365 roadmap notes that the feature is now being rolled out to Microsoft Teams users around the world. But for now, it is limited to desktop users only, with no news of a mobile launch yet.

The update comes as the company wants to ensure that Microsoft Teams remains smarter and more interactive for users around the world.

This includes the addition of several generations of avatars to represent you during a conversation using the Microsoft Teams Together mode, which displays a live avatar for each participant.

The company has also outlined plans to soon introduce 3D avatars alongside more immersive Microsoft Teams meetings within the so-called “metaverse” later in 2022.

Source: tech radar