Skype gaining better sign in experience, faster startup and iOS 7 mic permissions

Microsoft-owned Skype app for the iPhone and iPad is about to get bumped to version 4.14, gaining under-the-hood tweaks for faster startup time and iOS 7-specific permissions for microphone access.

The update has been officially announced on the Skype blog earlier in the morning and should drop later during the course of the day.

Over the past two months, Skype’s mobile app has received its iOS 7 style visual makeover and gained the ability to make HD quality 720p video calls from the fourth-generation iPad and later and the iPhone 5 and later…

According to a post over at the Skype blog, the refreshed iPhone and iPad clients focus on improving startup time and have a redesigned sign in screen that makes it easier to sign in with a Skype ID or a Microsoft account.

There’s also a new pop-up on iOS 7 devices seeking your permission to use the microphone for calls and for audio or video messages (you can revoke mic access inSettings > Privacy > Microphone). Finally, iTunes release notes mention “additional fixes and performance improvements” in Skype for iOS 4.14.

Skype for iPhone is available free from the App Store.

Skype for iPhone version 4.14 supports the iPhone 3GS/4/4s/5/5s/5c and the third-generation iPod touch or later.

The iPad edition of Skype iPad is a separate 30MB download.

Skype for iPad version 4.14 supports the original iPad, iPad 2/3/4 and the iPad mini and the new iPad Air.

iOS 5.0 or later is required on all devices.

The app lets you top up Skype credits via in-app purchase for low-cost international calls to landline and mobile phone numbers and supports free and unlimited Video Messages feature.

Windows Phone Tango to bring additional languages, C++ support

We already know that the next iteration of Windows Phone, codenamed Tango, will reduce the hardware requirements of the OS so that it could run on devices with slower (and thus cheaper) hardware.

Now, Microsoft has announced that Tango will have support for additional languages as well. This is necessary for Microsoft if it intends to sell Windows Phone devices in as many locations as possible. Mango currently supports 35 different languages but Tango is expected to take that number to 120.

Microsoft has also said that with the next release, developers will be able to develop apps and games for the OS using C++, although it is unclear whether 'next release' refers to the next version of the OS or the SDK.

Hopefully we will find out more during Mobile World Congress, next month