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How to use Surface Earbuds with Microsoft 365
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Published onMay 13, 2020
published onMay 13, 2020
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One of the features that make Microsoft’s new Surface Earbuds quite unique is their integration with the company’s Microsoft 365 service. With a valid subscription, and when the Earbuds are paired over Bluetooth LE, you can use the Earbuds to dictate documents and emails, live caption PowerPoints, and even play your emails on iOS devices. If you just purchased your own Surface Earbuds, here’s a look at how that works and how you can get started with it all.
Dictation
With two microphones per earbud, the Surface Earbuds are perfect for skipping your computer’s in-built microphone and using your new Earbuds for some higher quality voice dictation. You can set this up in Microsoft Word and Outlook by first making sure you’ve paired your Earbuds with your PC with Bluetooth LE.
If you haven’t already paired, to get started, open the case, put your Earbuds in the case and press the button on the bottom for 5 seconds to put the Earbuds in pairing mode. You should then head into Bluetooth settings in Windows 10, and search for your Headphones and pair to it. If your PC is compatible, you’ll also see a notification appear on your screen as soon as the Earbuds enter pairing mode, allowing you to pair without having to go through settings.
Once paired, you can now head to the Office app that you want to use dictation with. Head up to the top Home bar and then chooseDictatefrom the list. You might be prompted to enable the microphone permissions. When done, a microphone icon will appear, you’ll want to wait for it to turn on before you start speaking. You’ll be able to insert punctuation as you speak by saying them explicitly. When done, you can exit dictation with the close button in the toolbar.
Live Caption in PowerPoints
Just like using the Earbuds for dictation, getting Live Captions in PowerPoints is quite easy, too. When enabled, you’ll be able to have captions appear on the screen as you talk during your presentation. There’s also a portion to translate the captions in real-time to another language, too, which we will discuss later.
To get started with Live Captions, you’ll want to first open the PowerPoint presentation. Then, selectSlide Showand then head over toFrom Beginning. From there, you can then right-click anywhere in the slide and choose theStart Subtitlesoption.
Just to be safe, before speaking, you’ll also want to make sure that you’ve chosen the Earbuds as your Microphone. To check this, right-click again on the slide and chooseSubtitle Settingsand then chooseMore Settings.In captions & Subtitles, for the microphone, you’ll want to chooseHeadset (Surface Earbuds Hands-Free AG Audio).You can then begin the presentation.
If you want PowerPoint to translate your voice while speaking into a different language, you’ll want to look at theSlide Show ribbon taband selectSubtitle Settings. Check to make sure thatSpoken Languageis set to the one you’re speaking, and then checkSubtitle Languageto the one you want to appear in translations. There are also additional controls under theSubtitle Settingsmenu which will help you set the desired position for captions or subtitles. Typically it’ll appear under the bottom side of the screen by default. Also, keep in mind that PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 can display captions or subtitles on-screen in any of more than 60 languages. You can see the full list at the bottom ofthis Microsoft Support page.
Play your emails aloud in Outlook on iOS
So far the two features we’ve described only work on Windows 10, but, if you’ve got yourself an iOS device, you also have access to a unique feature for your new Surface Earbuds. You can use them with your iPhone or iPad to manage your emails when on the go and reply to messages, delete them, and more.
As usual, you can get started by connecting your Earbuds to the iPhone over Bluetooth. Do this by putting your Earbuds back in the case, and press and hold the button on the bottom of the case for 5 seconds. When done, head intoSettings,on your iOS device and then tap onBluetooth.Turn Bluetooth on if it isn’t already, and then tap onSurface Earbuds.You’ll be connected now.
Pairing done, head into the Outlook app and swipe from the left side of the screen. SelectSettingsand then tap onPlay my Emails. You’ll then want to grant Outlook the permissions to use your Microphone, and then finish setting it up. From now on, you can Play your Emails by swiping left and tapping the play button in the sidebar.
While your emails are playing, you can use some of these gestures to control them. Double-tap on either earbud to stop or play messages. To go to the next message, swipe forward on the left earbud. To go to the previous message, swipe backward on the left earbud. Finally, to adjust the volume, on the right earbud, swipe up on increase volume, and swipe down to decrease volume.
Are you enjoying Surface Earbuds?
With this integration with Microsoft 365, the Surface Earbuds are more productivity-centered than any other earbud in the market. Do you find these features useful? Or do you just use your Earbuds for music and conference calls? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned to OnMSFT for our full Surface Earbuds review in the coming days.
Radu Tyrsina
Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time).
For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web.
Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they’re looking for.
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