Microsoft Teams continues to innovate and enhance the meeting experience for users. In this blog post, we will explore the latest updates in Microsoft Teams that bring immersive spatial audio, usability improvements to Together Mode, and customizable captions, making meetings more engaging, inclusive, and efficient.
Spatial Audio:
A Next-Generation Audio Experience One of the notable upgrades in Microsoft Teams is the introduction of spatial audio. With spatial audio, users can enjoy an immersive soundscape during meetings, whether using a wired stereo headset or built-in stereo speakers. This advanced audio experience spatializes the voices of attendees across the visual meeting stage in Gallery view. By doing so, it creates a more natural conversation environment, increasing audio presence and enhancing clarity, especially when multiple participants are speaking simultaneously.
Enabling Spatial Audio:
There are three simple ways to enable spatial audio in Microsoft Teams meetings:
Before joining a meeting: On the meeting pre-join screen, select a wired stereo headset or built-in stereo speakers and turn on the Spatial audio toggle under Device Settings -> Speaker.
During the meeting: Click on "More," then "Settings," and navigate to "Device settings." Select a wired stereo headset or built-in stereo speakers under Speakers and enable the Spatial audio toggle.
Anytime: Access the settings menu by clicking on "Settings and more," then "Settings," and select "Devices." Finally, turn on the Spatial audio toggle.
Tips:
Live Interpretation: If you enable spatial audio in a meeting with live interpretation, you will hear the original and translated audio at the same volume. To clearly hear the interpreter's voice with reduced original voice, turn off spatial audio and rejoin the meeting.
Music Mode: Enabling spatial audio in a meeting with music mode enabled will result in non-high-fidelity audio. To enjoy full-band audio, turn off spatial audio and rejoin the meeting.
By meeting the compatibility requirements and following the provided tips, you can enhance your Teams meeting experience with spatial audio.
Improved Together Mode Usability:
Together Mode, which brings participants closer together in a virtual environment, has received significant usability improvements. These enhancements allow for a more inclusive and comprehensible meeting experience:
Clear identification: While in Together Mode, participants can now see name labels with status icons such as microphone, active speaker, spotlight, or pin within the meeting.
Visual cues: Raised hands and reactions are now visible within the view, making it easier for attendees to express themselves.
Self-preview removal: Attendees can choose to remove their own video from the gallery, eliminating duplication and streamlining the interface.
To activate these enhancements, simply go to View and select "Together mode" during the meeting.
Customizable Captions for Enhanced Accessibility:
Microsoft Teams now offers improved caption settings, allowing users to customize the appearance and position of captions to suit their preferences. This feature enables better discovery and navigation during meetings:
Font customization: Users can adjust the size and color of the captions font.
Window placement: The height and position of the caption window can be customized, ensuring optimal visibility.
Scrolling captions: The new captions settings pane allows users to scroll and review captions up to one minute ago, facilitating better understanding and context.
To access the new caption settings pane, simply click on the gear icon in the captions box at the bottom of the screen while in a meeting with captions turned on. Then, click on "Caption settings."
Compatibility Requirements for Spatial Audio in Microsoft Teams Meetings:
To listen to meetings with spatial audio in Microsoft Teams, you need to meet the following compatibility requirements:
Audio Devices: Use USB-wired stereo headphones or speakers, or your device's built-in stereo speakers to enable spatial audio. Bluetooth audio devices are not currently supported for spatial audio in Teams meetings.
Meeting Participants: Spatial audio is only available when there are more than two participants in the meeting, and the meeting is in the gallery view. This ensures that the spatial positioning of voices can be experienced effectively.
Important Notes:
Bandwidth and Memory: To maintain optimal audio quality, Teams may disable spatial audio if your network's bandwidth or computer memory is low. Make sure you have a stable internet connection and sufficient available memory for the best spatial audio experience.
Meeting Size: Currently, one-on-one calls and large meetings with more than 100 attendees do not support spatial audio. The feature is designed for meetings with multiple participants in the gallery view.
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FAQ: Spatial Audio in Microsoft Teams Meetings
Q: What is spatial audio in Microsoft Teams meetings?
A: Spatial audio in Microsoft Teams meetings is a feature that creates an immersive audio experience by spatializing the voices of participants. It simulates the natural audio environment by placing voices in different positions across the visual meeting stage, making conversations feel more realistic and enhancing audio clarity.
Q: How does spatial audio work in Microsoft Teams?
A: Spatial audio works by utilizing advanced audio processing algorithms to position voices in virtual space. The feature takes into account the position and movement of participants in the Gallery view, creating a three-dimensional audio experience that mimics real-life conversations.
Q: What devices are compatible with spatial audio in Microsoft Teams meetings?
A: Spatial audio is compatible with both wired stereo headsets and built-in stereo speakers. As long as your audio output device supports stereo sound, you can enjoy the benefits of spatial audio in Teams meetings.
Q: How can I enable spatial audio in Microsoft Teams meetings?
A: There are three ways to enable spatial audio in Microsoft Teams meetings:
Before joining a meeting: On the meeting pre-join screen, select a wired stereo headset or built-in stereo speakers, and turn on the Spatial audio toggle under Device Settings -> Speaker.
During the meeting: Click on "More," then "Settings," and navigate to "Device settings." Choose a wired stereo headset or built-in stereo speakers under Speakers and enable the Spatial audio toggle.
Anytime: Click on "Settings and more," select "Settings," go to "Devices," and turn on the Spatial audio toggle.
Q: Can I customize spatial audio settings in Microsoft Teams meetings?
A: Currently, Microsoft Teams does not provide extensive customization options for spatial audio. However, you can choose the audio output device (wired stereo headset or built-in stereo speakers) that best suits your preference for experiencing spatial audio.
Q: Are there any specific system requirements for using spatial audio in Microsoft Teams meetings?
A: To use spatial audio in Microsoft Teams meetings, ensure that your device supports stereo audio output. Most modern computers, laptops, and mobile devices meet this requirement. Additionally, make sure you have the latest version of the Teams app installed for optimal performance.
Q: Does spatial audio work in all meeting modes in Microsoft Teams?
A: Spatial audio is primarily designed for use in the Gallery view of Microsoft Teams meetings. While it may still provide some benefits in other meeting modes, its full immersive experience is best enjoyed when participants are displayed in the Gallery view.
Conclusion:
Microsoft Teams continues to enhance the meeting experience by introducing spatial audio, improving Together Mode usability, and offering customizable captions. These updates provide a more immersive, inclusive, and efficient environment for participants. Whether you prefer a more natural audio experience, an engaging virtual setting, or personalized captions, Microsoft Teams has you covered, making meetings more productive and enjoyable for everyone.
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