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]

May 8 - 2:05pm EDT   Microsoft today discussed some of the details of a project it estimates could help address a lack of computing in developing countries. A plan so far known as Fone+ would give users a basic or mid-range smartphone with a dock or similar connection to a TV, giving them a potentially higher-resolution screen and a more comfortable distance to use the device as a budget computer. Doing so not only provides a relatively low cost PC but also a cellphone at the same time; this gives even farmers a way to compute without taking away phones they often use, Microsoft says. [full story]

May 6 - 7:55am EDT   HTC this morning at a London press event unveiled its anticipated Touch Diamond, the company's first major update to the core Touch model since its unveiling a year ago. The phone is the first to incorporate HTC's new TouchFLO 3D interface and uses it to access messaging, media, and other features without reverting to a stylus or the directional pad; common operations such as calling should be usable with just one finger, the company claims. To support the new interface, the Diamond uses Windows Mobile 6.1 and includes a 640x480, 2.8-inch touchscreen that offers four times the crispness of the original, 320x240 Touch. [full story]

May 3 - 6:50pm EDT   HTC's Touch Diamond smartphone has been all but completely revealed today through a set of photos leaked today by NewsMobile. The sequel to the original Touch is now known to earn its Diamond name through a subtle, angular geometry on the back that recalls Nokia's Prism lineup. The Diamond will also be narrower than the original, but will also be taller courtesy of dedicated Back and Home buttons alongside the control pad. [full story]

April 29 - 5:00pm EDT   The upcoming HTC press event in London on May 6th promises to bring not just information on the Touch Diamond and Touch Pro but also more regarding the Titanium and Touch Find, say a number of leaks. Further rumors from GSMArena corroborate reports that the Titanium may be called Touch DUAL Pro when it launches and replace the original model. It should be similar in spec to the Diamond but add a 12 or 20 key sliding keypad depending on the country, the sharper 640x480 screen, Wi-Fi, and a sharper 3-megapixel camera. [full story]

April 28 - 1:45pm EDT   T-Mobile will carry two new Sidekick messaging phones this summer, according to an apparent leak from TmoNews. Danger and at least one of its partners will release a mystery device nicknamed the "Gekko" on July 27th; a second known as the "Aspen" will follow shortly afterwards on the 30th. Details of the devices are unknown, though the possibility exists that the phones will either be special editions of existing models with new artwork in addition to possible replacement models. [full story]

April 25 - 1:45pm EDT   HTC's still-mysterious Diamond and Raphael touchscreen phones already have formal names and may be the devices announced at next month's press event, according to an investigation by MoDaCo. The Raphael is now set to be called the Touch Pro and will replace the button-driven Kaiser (AT&T Tilt and Sprint Mogul) in the company's high-end smartphone line. Its keyboard slides out flat rather than at an angle and is likely deisgned this way to reduce the thickness of the design. [full story]

April 23 - 4:35pm EDT   Sony Ericsson today posted results for the first quarter of 2008 that suggest a significant downturn for the cellphone producer. The Japanese and Swedish partnership says it shipped 22.3 million cellphones over the period ended in March, or an increase of just two percent over the same quarter in 2007. It also notes that net income dropped by a significant 48 percent year over year to 133 million Euros ($211.4 million). Price margins on its products also dropped slightly to 29.2 percent. [full story]

April 23 - 1:55pm EDT   HTC is developing two new phones that will replace some of Sprint's most popular smartphone models, according to a spec sheet leak handed to Engadget. The Raphael (shown) appears to be device spotted in a phone collection and will replace the Mogul QWERTY keyboard slider with a sleeker black design, a 3-megapixel camera, and Wi-Fi. Preloaded Windows Mobile 6.1 will also let HTC ship a 640x480 resolution display four times sharper than allowed on Windows Mobile today. [full story]

April 21 - 4:45pm EDT   Two of HTC's more anticipated phones are likely to have been spotted today courtesy of a photo displayed in a forum post. Asking if viewers can identify all the devices, a user shows a large, QWERTY slider device (left) that appears to closely resemble the Dream; the device is large enough to match the description and includes both the large screen and hardware controls previously suggested before. The phone interface also appears different than normal and may hint at the Dream's use of Google Android for its operating system. [full story]

April 16 - 2:35pm EDT   Microsoft is developing a unified media store for the Zune that would draw on lessons from the Xbox 360, according to information relayed to long-time Microsoft observer Mary-Jo Foley. A service so far codenamed Zune Video X (Experience) is said by a source to address a gap in the Zune's online purchasing options by offering movies, TV shows, and "more" content in addition to the music already available through the Zune Marketplace. The service would be more than just an expansion of the existing store, says the report. [full story]

April 16 - 12:00pm EDT   Verizon today began fulfilling promises made at the CTIA phone expo by launching the XV6900 at its online store. A rebadged version of the HTC Touch, the touchscreen-dominated phone appears modified from the reference design not just by its white color but by an uprated camera: the 2-megapixel unit now reportedly adds autofocusing to properly frame shots around the right subject. The US carrier also supports tethering the phone to a computer for use as an impromptu 3G modem. [full story]

April 15 - 4:15pm EDT   T-Mobile is finally poised to release its second Shadow smartphone, says a scoop from newcomer TmoNews. Referred to just as the Shadow II in the slip, the device would represent a major redesign with a glossy black shell and a flatter, potentially touch-sensitive thumbwheel. It will also reportedly be the first Shadow to support HotSpot@Home, using Wi-Fi to bridge calls between VoIP and the cellular network. [full story]

April 15 - 9:25am EDT   Microsoft today announced that it has completed its acquisition of Danger, bringing the Sidekick maker entirely into the larger company. Danger will now become a core component of the new Premium Mobile Experiences group at Microsoft and will be part of the Mobile Communications group inside of the Entertainment and Devices division. The freshly acquired company's founders now report directly to Roz Ho, corporate VP for the Premium Mobile Experiences group and former head of the Macintosh Business Unit. [full story]