As remote work and collaboration continue to thrive, video conferencing tools like Microsoft Teams are an integral part of our daily routines. At Citrix, we’re stepping up our game by introducing new features to Microsoft Teams to enhance user experience and make virtual meetings more productive.
Customizable Background Blurring
One of the latest additions to Citrix HDX is the background blurring feature, which offers users increased privacy and reduced distractions during video calls. Imagine you’re working from home and need to jump on a call with an important client, but your space is cluttered or not professional-looking. The background blurring feature allows you to maintain a polished appearance and prevent any distractions from hindering the call’s productivity. By blurring the background behind the speaker, attendees can focus on the presenter without any unnecessary distractions.
Users can also choose to substitute their background with one of the standard Microsoft backgrounds, or administrators have the option to create a standard image background, such as a corporate image. This feature is available in Citrix workspace app for Windows 2207, Linux 2212, and Mac 2301 releases.
Higher Quality Video Streams with Simulcast for Citrix HDX Microsoft Teams
Simulcast is a Citrix HDX Microsoft Teams optimization feature designed to improve the video conferencing experience in situations where under-spec client devices or low-bandwidth connections are involved. With simulcast, each client can send multiple video streams to the meeting server (e.g., 720p, 360p), which then sends out the appropriate video stream for each endpoint. This feature eliminates the lowest common denominator problem, where the slowest endpoint would constrain the video resolution for all meeting participants.
Consider an all-hands meeting with one speaker and over 150 participants. Inevitably, one or more of those participants’ devices can only handle a low video resolution, resulting in the entire call receiving lower-quality video. With simulcast, this issue is resolved, allowing the majority of participants to enjoy HD quality video, regardless of the limitations of a few endpoints. Simulcast is available in Windows and Mac 2303 releases.
Seamless Integration with Microsoft Teams in Virtualized Environments
Microsoft has recently announced the release of a new version of their popular collaboration tool, Microsoft Teams. This major rewrite of Microsoft Teams boasts significant enhancements, including improved performance, reduced memory consumption, and decreased CPU utilization, all coupled with an updated user interface. To ensure seamless integration within virtualized environments, Microsoft is collaborating closely with Citrix to deliver a flawless experience for Citrix users. Stay tuned for more information on this exciting development.
The new Citrix HDX integrations and features for Microsoft Teams are aimed at enhancing the user experience and making video conferencing more efficient and enjoyable. Background blurring, simulcast and integration with the latest Microsoft Teams are just a few examples of how Citrix HDX is pushing the boundaries and transforming the way we collaborate in virtual environments. As remote work and virtual meetings continue to grow in popularity, these features will undoubtedly become essential capabilities for all Citrix users.
