Image used with permission by copyright holderLike virtually every other chat app in existence, Google Hangouts makes a very distinctive sound every time you receive a message. That may be useful on mobile devices, which you’re probably not constantly looking at. However, on a desktop or laptop, which are likely already in your direct line of sight when you’re logged into Hangouts, you might find the constant noises aggravating.
Thankfully, there is a way to mute those sounds in Hangouts, but the process that involves doing so isn’t exactly straightforward. That’s why we put together this quick guide to show you how to turn down Hangouts’ volume.
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How to turn off Google Hangouts chat sounds in Gmail
Step 1. Click the gear icon in the upper right-hand corner of your Gmail inbox.
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Step 2. Click Settings.
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Step 3. Click the “Chat” tab at the top.
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Step 4. In the “Sounds” section, click the bubble labeled “Sounds off.”
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Step 5. Click “Save Changes.” That’s it! You’ll no longer be bothered by annoying sounds from Google Hangouts.
Microsoft Teams online vs. desktop: Which is best?
Microsoft Teams is one of the most popular team collaboration and communication tools available -- we even use Microsoft Teams here at Digital Trends. You can use it in a few different ways, too, including the web service or local desktop application. But which should you use, the desktop app or the web app?
There are some advantages and disadvantages to using Teams either online or on the desktop. Let's take a look at them to help you decide which is best for you.
Keeping your Microsoft Teams status as "Active" can be a stressful experience if your boss is constantly looking over your shoulder. It might not be the most common Teams problem, but it's one we've all experienced at some point. While you might be getting on with something productive, if the person in charge doesn't know that and doesn't take kindle to "Busy" statuses, you may want to try some tricks to keep your status active when using Microsoft Teams.
Fortunately there are a number of ways you can do that, from the honest and transparent, to the slightly sneaky. No judgement here. You do what you need to do. We're just here to teach you how to keep your Team status active.
The most common Microsoft Teams problems and how to fix them
Microsoft Teams was introduced in 2017 as a unified communication and collaboration platform aimed at helping businesses and organizations get things done. Microsoft leveraged the company's existing Office software experience and created a unified experience between Teams, Office 365, and Skype for Business. However, as with all software, things don't always go according to plan. If you're using Microsoft Teams, sometimes you can run into problems.
We're big Teams users here at Digital Trends -- it's our go-to communication and meeting tool -- and we've come across a few issues ourselves over the years. In the event you're having Microsoft Teams issues, here's how to fix some of the most common problems.
