[RahulNagaraj]

According to reports, Microsoft Teams will be released on Android Auto in February.

The software giant had announced that they would bring the Microsoft Teams app to Android last year. However, after a year of delay, the company is now reportedly preparing the finishing Android Auto optimisations, ahead of its release next month.



Once the Microsoft Teams app is introduced, it will allow car owners to join meetings via the infotainment screen. The app will allow Android Auto users to join meetings via calendar view, check recent calls on Android phones and call contacts from the speed dial. Microsoft Teams though won't support video calls, requiring users to pull over and turn on the video from their mobile phones for the full experience.

Once the software goes live, users can update the Android Auto app and start using the feature.

Microsoft Teams though is already available on CarPlay since 2021.

Source: AutoEvolution

Link to Team-BHP news

[Turbohead]

No! This shouldn't even be allowed! You'll have people trying to multitask and end up in accidents!

Every tool has it's place and time. Our wild roads and rush hour is not one of them.

[narayans80]

Have taken Teams calls over 4 or 5 times and Zoom calls about twice on Carplay.

Given the nature of the calls (official), you are going to pullover and get the call done and move on. The pressure of the mute-talk-unmute cycle is just too much, can't do that on the move. I can't remember initiating from head unit either, it was only from phone in all these instances, for which I have to pullover anyway.

Teams is ok for internal calls, where your team does not mind the background noise.

In the case of Zoom, it will mute you if you are on the move. So you must pullover to avoid the unpredictability.

All in all, its ok for the rare use. Not something you want to rely as a norm.

[Sudarshan42]

Why god why? We are overexposed to our work tools as it is, we definitely do not want our clients to listen to us yelling at the neighbouring errant auto driver!

[100Kmphormore]

In an already chaotic traffic environment on weekdays in cities like Mumbai, Gurugram or Bengaluru - in all probability exhausted employees at 8-9 pm after a long day, or employees rushing home to join the next call - really? Regular knicks and touches to mirrors/door handles will now extend to bumper hits. This should be banned, even from CarPlay. The mandate to keep video on has atleast decraesed this scenario to some extent. I had to stop my colleague taking calls on the phone Webex app while driving and used to take over on the day he had to attend one. He himself admitted it was far relaxing taking the call in a calm frame of mind.

[Rodie09]

I feel that advent of MS Teams and similar tools in recent times, that coincided with pandemic, are the worst things to happen to mankind. Boundaries between home and office were already broken and now in the car too?? Why??
God save us from such innovators. The next and only thing remaining is when they can get some productivity out of you even while you are sleeping.

That day isn't far.

[hrman]

This will at least prevent such scenarios.



On a serious note, I have felt the need to have MS teams on the call when driving. But personally feel this is fraught with risk. Even the 1 hour you drive will belong to the workplace, which is not correct.

[Small Bot]

I work in an MNC Bank and the nature of my work dictates that I need that keep my work thoroughly confidential (I even sign non-disclosure agreements prior to start of projects).

Even if I have MS Teams on my phone and can take work calls via a password-protected work profile, I'm never going to take such calls in my car. This might end up being a confidentiality breach even if nobody else is inside the car, let alone if there are passengers present (the Brezza is not exactly a heavily insulated car).

I'd rather go home to my study room and take the call from where I know there will be no chance of being overheard.

So, this feature is totally useless for me.

[libranof1987]

Absolutely not a fan of this. I've seen drivers watch TV shows/movies on the infotainment screen, while driving. And this is when they're the sole occupant of the car, not even as if it's for the co-passengers.

Even if this will be voice-only, it will be a massive distraction from driving and take the driver's focus further away from driving. The massive proliferation of apps and devices into cars is a cause of concern, and unfortunately, there seems to be little to no way to control / regulate that.

[SanthoshK]

For a moment I thought Narayana Murthy is the current CEO of Microsoft.

[antz.bin]

A great reason to keep using your old car without Android Auto / Carplay

But coming back to the topic, it could be useful if you are running late for Morning Scrum meeting and need to join remotely. Most of it usually requires listening to what is happening with inputs few and far between. Not too much different from to listening to a podcast or audiobook in the car. I used to do it sometimes when my car was new back in 2019 end/early 2020. But then Covid started and I've been working from home ever since so this doesn't apply now.

Makes those 10 minutes in the car more productive than just being stuck at the same red light for the 3rd time.

BUT, this would apply only to meetings that require me to be listening in or be a 99% passive participant. I would stop the car and do it Hrithik style if I am required in a more active capacity.

[fiat_tarun]

I actually think this is a positive move. People today join the call anyway and hence this is much safer way of doing it. I don't think one is expected to have a vehicle with AA and hence needs to join a meeting now that this support has been rolled out.

I try to leave office a little early to beat the rush and continue working from home and if there are calls where I don't need to present or see what is being presented, this is a good option to have. I hope the integration is done well.

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by fiat_tarun

I don't think one is expected to have a vehicle with AA and hence needs to join a meeting now that this support has been rolled out. .

Teams on Android has been there for a while. I've used since 2019 on my Oneplus and on iOS since 2020. Its just the Android Auto support that's being rolled out now.

I try to leave office a little early to beat the rush and continue working from home and if there are calls where I don't need to present or see what is being presented

This is exactly what I do as well. But the ETA does not go as planned once in 50 attempts. As said above, muting-unmuting is a pain, so its never for taking calls on the move. You'll do a Hrithik Roshan, but seated in the driver seat in a parked car with a phone instead (if you ever get into the situation that is).

Video call and screenshare are too much of a stretch.

[binand]

Originally Posted by antz.bin

But coming back to the topic, it could be useful if you are running late for Morning Scrum meeting and need to join remotely.

I think some countries (UK?) legally requires employers to not engage employees on calls when they are driving. So in such countries you would be forbidden from doing this (joining any meeting while driving).

[venus1975]

It should be a strict NO, if it allows the presented content to be projected on the screen, when the car is on the move.
Otherwise, I don't see any issues here, and it will only make the life of people, who are used to taking business calls over phone/Bluetooth, easier.