March 2021 Teams Display Updates enables Cortana voice search, custom backgrounds and more.

Microsoft has just started rolling out a heap of new updates and features Teams displays, such as the Lenovo ThinkSmart View.

In case you are not familiar, Teams Displays are low-cost, dedicated devices design for just Teams Meetings, Calls, and simple collaboration/presentation. The idea behind these is that having Teams on a dedicated second display means that separating out “teamwork” and individual work can make focus easier. I have a ThinkSmart View on a small table on the other side of my home office which I find helps me to focus on the meeting in situations where I don’t need to “stuck” in front of my Laptop. You can read my earlier review of the ThinkSmart here

Updates on Teams Displays

In the latest update, Microsoft has brought us the following features and improvements:

  • Voice Control: Powered by Cortana, you can now search for meetings, ask teams to join your meeting, find a message, open a file, or call a person.
  • Custom Background: Providing feature comparison with the desktop clients, you can not only blur your background but use the Microsoft provided custom backgrounds in meetings and calls.
  • Live Reactions: You can now send a range of emoticons to show support, applause, “love”, and laughter during a meeting. 
  • Cortana and Bing: Seach integration, allow users to find information hands-free with voice while collaborating or taking part in meetings and calls – For example, “what is the time in Seattle”, or “Show my latest messages from Rachel”.

These features are rolling out as part of the March 2021 update for Teams displays.

Leave a Reply