{
  "id": 17488186,
  "title": "4 important features you should know if you use Microsoft Teams",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/4-important-features-you-should-know-if-you-use-microsoft-teams",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-31T22:45:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Engadget",
    "slug": "engadget",
    "url": "https://www.engadget.com/2300242/important-features-should-know-microsoft-teams/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Microsoft Teams offers more than just chats and video calls, with new features regularly added to enhance the user experience. With over 320 million monthly active users, the platform provides several options to improve communication, especially in remote work settings.\n\nOne such feature is a countdown timer for meetings, which helps keep sessions on time. Users can set the timer for up to 100 minutes and see it in the top left corner during the meeting. The timer turns red and flashes as the end approaches, and attendees with presenter capabilities can also see it.\n\nAnother useful feature is voice isolation, which reduces background noise during calls or meetings. Users must create a voice profile by following a simple process, then toggle the feature on or off during calls. The AI-powered feature works best in quiet spaces.\n\nMicrosoft Teams also provides a live transcription feature, which transcribes meetings in near real-time and allows users to access the transcript after the meeting. The feature differentiates between speakers and does not store data for AI training. Users can turn on live transcription by pressing a button in the toolbar, and the organizer or presenter can enable it if allowed by the admin.\n\nLastly, the platform now makes it easier to find unsent messages. Users can access their drafts from the left panel of their Teams chat, allowing them to resume writing or discard the drafts.",
  "summary": "A wealth of not-so-well-known features on Microsoft Teams make the experience easier and more stress-free than you may have previously thought.",
  "key_points": [
    "Microsoft Teams offers a countdown timer for meetings, up to 100 minutes",
    "Voice isolation reduces background noise during calls and meetings",
    "Live transcription transcribes meetings in near real-time, differentiates speakers"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}