Microsoft Teams now lets you use your own images as background during video calls

As work from home has become the new normal, Microsoft Teams has introduced a custom background option for video calls

The feature allows you to replace your background in Team meetings with your own custom images or with the ones provided online by Microsoft. Users also have the option to simply blur the background.

After changing the background, you can preview it before it's applied to your video calls. Microsoft has also rolled out an option to schedule meetings. "This capability builds upon the existing ability to “Meet Now, " the blog said.

Microsoft designers have also created 20 virtual backgrounds to show support for the LGBTQI+ community.

Furthermore, Teams users can now put on live captions during their calls and meetings. The company is working on introducing AI-based real-time noise suppression in Teams meetings later this year.

Videoconferencing has become necessary for work and social life as people around the world hunker down at home to avoid the spread coronavirus.

Microsoft Teams allows users to chat, share files, make calls and hold web video conferences. Microsoft charges fees to businesses for its full versions of Teams, but there is a free version that can be used by consumers.

In April, Microsoft reported that Teams had grown to 75 million daily users, more than double its early March figure. On one day, it logged 4.1 billion meeting minutes.

"As Covid-19 impacts every aspect of our work and life, we''ve seen two years'' worth of digital transformation in two months," Satya Nadella, CEO Microsoft said in April.

(With inputs from agencies)