Microsoft Teams Rooms on Android April Update brings a large number of new features

Microsoft has announced a large number of improvements to the Microsoft Teams Rooms on Android solution.

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From an updated calendar view to a new touch console experience, users now have more visibility of meetings and easier access to them on these devices. See the full changelog below:

A New Calendar on the Home Screen

In this release, Microsoft is bringing a more robust calendar experience to the front of the room so you can see and join not only the current meeting but also future meetings as well. Also, all the familiar controls you need have moved alongside the calendar for a sleek, modern look.

Introducing A New Touch Console Experience

Formerly, the touch console experience mimicked a physical remote, where users had to use directional keys to navigate the UI. With this new experience on the touch console, users can directly interact with the console UI, similar to Microsoft Teams Rooms on Windows. Users may need to check with their OEM to see if your device supports this new, updated touch console experience.

The touch console includes calendar functionality where you can view your current and upcoming meetings. In addition, it also features the most important meeting and calling functionality.

Once you join a meeting, you will be able to take advantage of call functionality, toggle between gallery views, see hands that are raised, and use inclusive features such as pinning and turning on live captions.

Touch console is an optional peripheral and Teams Rooms on Android will continue functioning without the console. However, once touch console is paired, front-of-room controls will be hidden, and device operation will be available from the touch console.

More Enhancements When Using Microsoft Teams Rooms in Personal Mode

Background Blur

Some users may want to bring this experience to their home office to take Teams calls and meetings on a large, dedicated screen. If you are logged into a Teams Rooms on Android with a personal account, Microsoft has added convenient features that help you manage your meetings better.

You can blur your background or change it entirely. The background will persist across meetings to make things easier. This option is available through the ellipsis in the menu bar.

Recordings

Recordings can be an important way to keep those who couldn’t make it to the meeting in the loop. Microsoft is introducing an ability to start and stop recordings directly from your Microsoft Teams Rooms on Android. As in all other Teams applications, you can find the “Start recording” button in the … menu.

For now, starting and stopping recording is only supported for personal accounts. Shared account (aka resource account) support is coming soon.

Whiteboard

Whiteboard is a great collaboration tool. Previously, users could use Microsoft whiteboard as part of a Teams meetings, but they could not initiate a whiteboarding session. Microsoft is introducing the ability to start a whiteboarding session directly from your device. You can find “Share whiteboard” button in the … menu.

For now, sharing the whiteboard is only supported for personal accounts. Shared account (aka resource account) support is coming soon.

Read more about Microsoft Teams Rooms on Android at Microsoft here.

via onMSFT