Compact Overlay windows was a new feature introduced a month ago into the Fast Ring with Windows Insider build 15031, allowing users to multitask while allowing video content to continue playing in a miniature window on top of other applications. However, developers were required to update their applications to explicitly leverage the feature.
A little over a week ago, Microsoft released an update to its Movies & TV app to enable compact overlay mode when used with a compatible Insider build of Windows 10. Now, the company has followed through with updating its Skype Preview app, delivering on the promise it made last month.
So... you know how we mentioned #SkypePreview would be implementing CompactOverlay (aka Picture-in-Picture)? Guess what! ?? #WindowsInsiders pic.twitter.com/oPpUJr2mnw
— Jen Gentleman ? (@JenMsft) March 5, 2017
The functionality works as one would expect with other video-capable apps. If during a Skype video call you need to hop into other apps, you can do so while the video stream remains visible on top of the other onscreen objects. The feature has the potential to simplify window management in such scenarios while also eliminating the need to dedicate screen real estate for the video window.
If you"re wanting to try out the Compact Overlay feature, you"ll need to make sure you have Skype Preview version 11.12.96.0 along with Windows Insider build 15048 (which is the most recent build released to the Fast Ring) to get underway.
Source: Jen Gentleman (Twitter) via Windows Central