Apparently "always on top" isn't new.. according to EvilSeph
Although I also assumed it was new.
Another feature I found to be neat was the ability to make the display pictures in
your conversation window smaller.
Another is being able to remove the sign in history with in the Options menu.
Another is being able to "directly connect" to your contact - whatever the hell that means. Doesn't seem to do anything atm, but possibly in the future it will act as AIM's direct connect?
And as for the animated emoticons, which btw are a total bitch to get working (to make them larger than 19x19), you can simply copy them to your own list by left clicking once, and then right clicking, and then choosing add.
New feature? Not being able to right click and view their email address.... >.< now you have to view that retarded contact card.
I believe that's all I found.