Microsoft Teams update brings Zoom-like custom background for video calls
What's the story
Microsoft has rolled out an update for its Teams communication platform that introduces custom background support for video calls.
The new feature, already available on rival services like Zoom, allows you to change your background in Teams meetings with a home office image or your own custom image for which the support will be added in the future.
About the feature
The feature uses AI to blur the environment behind you
Microsoft Teams' new custom background feature basically uses AI-powered background blur technique to fade your existing background and cover it with a background of your choice.
Currently, the platform has around 8 preset backgrounds to choose from. There is a neat looking home office environment, a simple blur, and something more exotic like a beachfront.
Information
The ability to upload your own background will come later
According to Microsoft, you will also be able to upload your own background image. The feature is not active at present but it will be added through a future update.
New changes
The new update also adds some previously-announced features
Meanwhile, the update introduces a raise hand feature which was announced last month. With this feature, a participant can indicate they have something to say during a meeting by clicking on the hand-raise icon in the control bar.
The update also adds an option for the meeting organizers to end the conference call for all participants via a single click.
Information
Microsoft will also introduce a couple of new features soon
Later this month, Microsoft will introduce a participant report feature that will allow meeting organizers to view details of the participants including their joining and leaving times. The company is also working to launch AI-based real-time noise suppression that will help reduce distracting background noise.