Microsoft has begun rolling out an update to the Skype Preview apps on all platforms, bringing the app to version 8.65. The company has shared the release notes for this version, and there"s a surprisingly long list of additions this time around.
In fairness, a couple of the new features listed here were also mentioned in Skype 8.64. For instance, improvements to sharing on iOS should make it easier to send files directly to Skype contacts, and you can now customize the reaction picker in chats, but those features aren"t completely new.
However, there are some more notable improvements. Just like Microsoft Teams (and other meeting services), Skype now has a Raise Hand feature, so participants can ask for their turn to speak. Android users can also now use the background blur feature, which has been available on other platforms for a while.
On macOS, the Meet Now feature now works with Apple"s Safari browser, so you don"t have to go out of your way to use something else. If you have Skype installed, though, there"s another new capability, which lets you copy and paste the meeting link or meeting ID into Skype to join Meet Now meetings. Skype on Windows and Mac also now supports CallTo and Tel protocols.
Finally, Microsoft says it has also updated Skype for Amazon"s Kindle Fire devices, though it didn"t say what, if anything, is new.
Aside from that, the update includes the usual set of improvements and bug fixes. The company warns that the new features are rolling out over the next few days, so you may not see them right away.