Benzinga | Sep 27, 2021 04:26PM EDT

Microsoft Steams Up Zoom Rivalry With Latest Phone Features

* Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:MSFT) upgraded its Teams communication app's Teams Phone service to permit transfer calls among devices, take calls in vehicles through Apple Inc's (NASDAQ:AAPL) CarPlay and transcribe calls.

* It can now identify spam calls, integrate contact center software, and call Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovenia, and Croatia, reaching a total coverage to 33 markets.

* Zoom Video Communications Inc's (NASDAQ:ZM) Zoom Phone already owns these features barring the spam service, CNBC reports.

* Teams Phone will add a virtual walkie-talkie in October, allowing users to push a button to talk, which Zoom has yet to incorporate.

* Microsoft's Operator Connect allows customers to draw on their existing services from carriers like NTT and Verizon Communications Inc (NYSE:VZ) to make calls.

* Price Action: MSFT shares closed lower by 1.73% at $294.17 on Monday.