Microsoft Teams Walkie Talkie

In further attempts to assist organisations in streamlining the number of devices people have to carry around, Microsoft announced at Ignite this year, the Walkie Talkie app in Teams.

This provides instant push-totalk (PTT) communications for people in the same team channels that they are members of. This does seem to be limited to the Android platform currently.

Firstline workers can now securely communicate without carrying a radio. This will work anywhere where there is WiFi or mobile network coverage.

Configuration

In the Teams Admin Console under Teams app, Setup Policies, Allow User Pinning should be Set to On. Under Pinned Apps Select Add Apps

On The Add Pinned Apps, search for Walkie Talkie, and then click on Add

Click on Add at the bottom of the screen

Walkie Talkie is then in the list of apps

Click on Save.

Look out for further developments on the Walkie Talkie app. Like making and receiving Walkie Talkie Calls even when phones are locked, through specialised devices with the PTT button. The app is included in all paid licenses of Teams in Office 365 subscriptions.

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