Skype teases "next version", promises all browser support, forgets Firefox icon

Microsoft revealed its future plans for Skype, the communication service that it acquired  in 2011 for $8.5 billion. The next version of Skype will be "improved, faster, reliable, and super modern-looking" according to Microsoft.

Skype's Web version will support all browsers, according to Microsoft. Skype for the Web does not support several web browsers currently, including Mozilla Firefox.

When you visit https://web.skype.com/ right now in Firefox or another unsupported browser, you get the the "browser not supported" prompt and the suggestion to either use Microsoft's own Edge browser or use Skype for the desktop.

The new Skype will support "all browsers" according to Microsoft. Skype's team does not mention browsers specifically in the announcement, but it lists four browser icons on the page.

These are Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Safari, and Opera.

At Skype we've always tried to serve our users on whatever device or platform they use. But even though Skype works on a lot of browsers today, we still have some gaps. We are going to change that!

We believe the Skype experience should be seamless, accessible, and reliable no matter what browser or device you are using, so we are adding support for all browsers. We would like to make sure that no matter which device, platform, or browser you're using, Skype will always give you a great experience.

The most notable browser that is missing from the list is Mozilla's Firefox web browser. Will the new Skype support the Firefox web browser? If you take the text at face value, Skype for the Web will support Mozilla's Firefox web browser. The icons on the other hand may indicate that Firefox may not be supported after all.

All Chromium-based browsers are supported by Skype or will be, even if not listed.

The future Skype

Microsoft's announcement on the official Skype blog is a long read. Here are the most important changes coming to the next version of Skype:

• Familiar interface with a modernized look. Theme refreshes.
• Skype users find themselves on the main view during calls.
• All participants will be visible, even if they don't share video.
• Performance improvements: 30% on the desktop, 2000% on Android.
• Options to disable video stream and to hide audio-only participants in the calling stage.
• Upgraded chat headers, group avatars, fluent icons.
• Meet Now integration to create and join Skype calls without need to sign-in, create an account or have the Skype app installed.
• Previews of join links.
• Office Lens functionality on Android and iOS.
• TwinCam feature to add other devices as secondary cameras to Skype.
• Customization of notification sounds.
• In-call reactions redesign and support for "super reactions".

Skype teases "next version", promises all browser support, forgets Firefox icon