Raise hand is a highly requested feature missing for a long time in Azure Communication Services calling SDK. However, this has changed with the latest release of JavaScript called SDK 1.13.0 (release notes)! 

 Why are those APIs introduced?

Communication is an essential part of our day-to-day life. As it moves to the digital environment, we must find new tools to manage communication in larger groups. Here are some favorite use cases of how our customers are using raise hand:

• Ask a question: Do you have a question about the content shared by the presenter, but you don't want to interrupt the speaker? Use your hand to indicate that something needs additional clarification.
• Q&A sessions: Attendees can raise their hands to indicate they have questions. The moderator can then follow the order of raised hand and allow everyone to ask.
• Need of assistance: Are you in a virtual workshop and need assistance from the host? Raising your hand gives the host insights into how many people need help and whether he needs to repeat some steps.
• Voting: Do you need to vote in a larger group? Then use raised hand to vote yes. This feature makes counting votes simple.
• Say goodbye before leaving: Do you need to leave the call earlier but don't want to drop silently? Let the host know that you need to go with your hand raised.
• Readiness: Raised hand is a great mechanism to indicate that individual participants have finished the current phase and can move on to the next.

This short list shows how simple features can significantly improve the experience during a virtual call or meeting. Let's give it a try!

What benefits does it have?

You can easily use new APIs to control and engage with participants in the call or meeting. We have listed a few inspiring scenarios above, and the significant part is that new APIs are without additional cost. You can achieve more with less just by integrating new APIs. And the best part is that it automatically integrates with Microsoft Teams! Your virtual appointments with Teams just got even better!

Which APIs are introduced?

Raise hand APIs introduces the following methods:

• Raise hand
• Lower hand
• Lower all hands
• List raised hands

And provides new events:

• Change of raised hand
• Change of lowered hand

Where can I learn more?

You can learn more details and code examples in the documentation.