May 9 - 4:50pm EDT   Although it has just launched new Atom and Zinc phones today, MWg plans multiple devices in the next several months that include major changes both to the hardware and Windows Mobile underneath, according to a roadmap leak at MoDaCo. The Asian smartphone maker claims it will have a Windows Mobile 7 device as early as the end of the year in the form of the Flame II, a heavily touch-driven device with a 3.5-inch screen and extra media playback features. A 3.2-megapixel camera and GPS mapping will also reportedly be standard. [full story]

May 9 - 9:00am EDT   Relative newcomer MWg on Friday officially launched two new high-end Windows Mobile smartphones as part of its first releases outside of Asia. The Atom V (shown) is one of MWg's first truly self-created designs and incorporates both an unusual directional pad as well as an interface known as Quick Menu; similar to HTC's TouchFLO, the design encourages finger input on the 2.8-inch touchscreen rather than using just the stylus. Also new is faster, 7.2Mbps HSDPA that doubles the download speed of the phone's 3G access in peak conditions when on supporting networks, such as parts of Vodafone in Europe. [full story]

January 18 - 2:10pm EST   Increasingly larger cellphone producer HTC is taking control of making smartphones for a few of its larger challengers, a report in Taiwan's Commercial Times says. Without naming specific models, the trade paper says that Palm, MWG, and Dubai-based i-mate are all pushing their assembly orders back to HTC after previously turning to other contractors or their own factories. The reversal is not explained but should help HTC's manufacturing for others account for over 10 percent of the firm's bottom line, representing a significant boost for a company increasingly known for its own devices. [full story]