Microsoft Modern accessories

Make your virtual work meetings more seamless and convenient using Microsoft Teams certified devices like the ones we are giving away in this contest. Microsoft created their MS Teams certification program to make sure that the tools you use to connect with colleagues work as they should. For over a year now, we saw a big shift in the way we communicate with colleagues, with many of us working remotely. For me, online teleconferencing platforms like Microsoft Teams have been a big part of how I do my work every day and I ensure that I make the most out of it by setting up a good virtual environment for a meaningful and productive conversation. Read on for more information about MS Teams certified products, and learn some of the things I do to prepare for virtual meetings, then enter for a chance to win one of these prizes: Microsoft Modern Wireless Headset, Microsoft Modern USB Headset, and Microsoft Modern 1080p HD Webcam.

Microsoft Teams certified products

With their Microsoft Teams certification program, Microsoft works with key partners to support customers in their remote working environment. It also ensures that third-party devices are compatible with Microsoft computers and programs, like Teams, so that they operate to the best advantage. Teams certified devices, like Microsoft Modern, offer a wide range of benefits to connect you seamlessly with your colleagues, whether you’re working from home, in a large conference room, or even outdoors.

The Microsoft Modern line of computer accessories can equip you with the right tools for your personal and business needs—from mice, to keyboards, USB-C hubs, and speakers. With Teams certification, you are assured of easy setup, control, and management of your calls. So when you’re looking for devices that works great with Teams, look for the one with the Teams certification. Visit Best Buy Canada to browse for more Microsoft Modern computers accessories.

You can learn more about the Microsoft Modern items we are giving away in this contest by reading the honest review by Brad Moon on the Best Buy Blog. Having great tech that works well is one way to ensure your meetings go smoothly. Here are some of my other top tips:

5 ways to prepare for an online meeting

A lot of people say that the first step towards being successful in whatever you do is to just show up. It’s true! You show up at the office, school, or what have you; and you take on the tasks ahead of you. Today, however, when many of us are working remotely, showing up at work could mean opening your webcam and turning on your mic. So, it’s important for me that even before I hit the join button, I’m focused and prepared to jump into the call. Here are some of the things I do to prepare for an online meeting:

1. Test equipment

It’s important that you join meetings on time, but it also pays to give yourself at least a few minutes before the schedule to test your equipment. Once you plug in your webcam or headset, most computers automatically detect and switch to your attached equipment. If not, you can also check your computer’s settings, where all your attached audio and video hardware are listed. Click on the name of the equipment to connect.

Microsoft Modern headphones

On Microsoft Teams, before you even hit the join meeting button, you can be able to see how you look like in the video. You can also see which audio hardware it’s using. Check your video and audio configurations to make sure you’re all set for the meeting.

2. Ensure good lighting

Good lighting is everything when joining a video call. When facing your colleagues virtually, it’s important that everyone can see you clearly. The good thing is that you don’t have to dig deep into your wallet to get an expensive lighting equipment. During the day you can take advantage of the natural light by positioning yourself in front of the window. However, do not go against the light as that will only create a silhouette.

If your regular workstation does not have access to windows or if you’re having calls during the night, you can use a table lamp, but do not put it directly on your face, as that will only wash your face with harsh light. You can diffuse the light by covering it with white paper or cloth, or you can have the light bounce off a white wall.

While the key to good lighting is soft light, having a reliable camera can also do the trick. Consider the Microsoft Modern 1080p HD camera; its high resolution at 30fps delivers sharper and more detailed images than those taken from the regular built-in camera that most laptops have.

3. Angle your camera properly

Microsoft Modern webcam

Imagine having a face-to-face conversation with someone. It makes for a better experience if both of you are standing or sitting on the same level. It’s the same when video chatting online. Set up your camera slightly above your eye area. Placing it there will mimic a face-to-face conversation when viewed through a monitor. You may also slightly angle it downward, so it better accentuates your facial features. What you should not do is angle it from down up, as it will do the exact opposite, by showing the most unflattering view of your face.

One of the benefits of having an external webcam is that you’re able to position your webcam the way you like it. Determine how your video will look on the monitor by adjusting the webcam. For regular video calls, you can attach it on top of your monitor, or mount it on a tripod for a more dynamic view.

4. Select non-distracting backgrounds

Have you been in meetings where you’re deep into your presentation, then one of your colleagues suddenly blurts out that your cat’s having a cameo in the background? It may be a good way to break the ice but that can also be distracting.

In many cases you might want to use one of the background effects built into Microsoft Teams. Background effects provide an added layer of privacy, to hide things that you don’t want your colleagues to see on the video, and ensure a stable view behind you. When on Teams, you can select from a wide range of background effects that you want—from a regular office to a tropical beach background. You can also use your own photo. I prefer a more subtle office-like background, with white walls. I find that background effects with neutral colours and less details look more realistic, as if you’re actually there.

5. Mute your mic while not speaking

Muting your mic when not speaking can benefit everyone as it ensures that not a lot of ambient noises can be heard during the meeting. In this way everyone can focus on the speaker. I’ve been in those meetings where everyone had to take 3-5 second pauses as we can all hear the ambulance siren or a sound of a big truck pass by. Understandably, it happens, but you can minimize ambient noise by muting your microphone whenever necessary.

Microsoft Modern accessories

With Microsoft Modern Headsets, it’s easy to do that by just a touch of a button or by flipping the mic. In addition, the passive noise cancelling design allows you focus on conversations by minimizing ambient noise in your room. Its comfortable design, with lightweight padded foam earcups, allows you to listen in for long hours without the unwanted pressure.

Now that you read my tips, enter for a chance to win a great Microsoft Modern prize.

How to Enter

Entering this contest is easy and you can enter twice by writing two (2) different comments:

  1. In one comment below, tell us which among the Microsoft Modern devices do you think would make your MS Teams experience better. Browse for more MS Modern computer accessories here, and in your comment, type in the product name as shown on BestBuy.ca.
  2. In a separate comment below, tell us one tip that helps you prepare for a MS Teams meeting.

What you can win

Microsoft Modern headphones and webcam

At the end of this contest we’ll randomly select three eligible entries to receive one of the three products shown in the image above: Microsoft Modern Wireless Headset, Microsoft Modern USB Headset, or Microsoft Modern 1080p HD Webcam.

This contest runs from September 29th to October 13th.

Remember you can enter twice here on the blog, as indicated in the how to enter section of this post. Know a family or friend who can benefit from using Microsoft Modern devices? Share this contest to them. Schedule an online chat and screenshot this contest and put it on as your background effect, then tell them that’s easy to enter.

Win Microsoft Modern Accessories Contest Rules and Regulations

Good luck!

Chris Nasaire
Chris Nasaire
Chris is constantly on the lookout for new tech that can make day-to-day productivity fun and easy—from the latest coffee machines to high-performing laptops. Outside of his exciting role as an editor at Best Buy Canada, he writes short fiction and travel stories, with some of his work appearing in local literary magazines.

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735 COMMENTS

  1. A wireless headset would help during meetings. At least, there won’t be any cables dangling around for my cats to play with..

  15. Microsoft Modern USB Headset (6ID-00012) – Black – a wireless headset would be perfect to not feel restricted by a wire.

  17. Definitely the camera would be the most useful. Having meetings with customer and not having a Camera which is appropriately placed definitely doesn’t help either team.

  18. Select non-distracting backgrounds is a good tip so people don’t see the mess you have behind you (sometimes!)

  19. Microsoft Modern USB Headset (6ID-00012) – Black – a wireless headset would be perfect to not feel restricted by a wire.

  20. I leave plenty of time to test my equipment and play with lighting. The amount of sun coming in the windows make a huge difference in image quality and lighting requirements.

  21. I really could use the Microsoft Modern Wireless Headset (8JR-00001) – Black, because my old wireless headset can no longer hold a charge.

  22. Microsoft Flight Simulator [PC] would make my MS Teams experience better as I’d much rather be playing games than participating in some boring-ass meeting at work.

  23. To make my Teams experience better – audio upgrade with the Microsoft Modern USB-C Computer Speaker is my choice.

  24. I like the feature when having to mute the mike especially when I am not talking….this is a very great feature for me.

  27. The Microsoft Modern Wireless Headset would be the most useful for my work at home life! One tip that helps me to prepare for a MS Teams meeting is to make sure I have a snack first, so I look energized and enthusiastic to see my peers. I keep snacks at my desk to avoid the hangry look. It really shows on camera! Especially since the rest of your body language isn’t visible.

  37. Always do a mic and sound check before you begin any session online. And above all, make sure you camera and mic are muted when you do not need to engage!

  38. Microsoft Modern Wireless Headset. It would be great to not have to turn up my speakers so loud during meetings.

  39. One tip that helps me prepare for a MS Teams meeting is preparing and logging in a couple minutes in advance in case I run into any issues.

  40. Among the Microsoft Modern devices, I think Microsoft Modern Wireless Headset would make my MS Teams experience better by improving the audio.

  42. For an online team meeting, I always arrive early to avoid any software issues and I always make sure I am familiar with the program one day before the meeting

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