Microsoft has announced that Robbie Bach, president of the company's Entertainment and Devices Division, will retire from the company in the autumn. The E&D division is responsible for music (Zune), gaming (Xbox) and for Windows Phone products. From 1st July, Senior Vice President Andy Lees – who currently runs the Mobile Communications Business – will report directly to CEO Steve Ballmer, as will his Interactive Entertainment Business counterpart Don Mattrick.

Mark Bridge writes:

It’s time to take sides. Are you with Apple… or are you against them?  Sorry, sitting on the fence is no longer acceptable. Not sure?  Okay, try this one for size. Are you with Google… or are you against them?  Still undecided?

Right – here’s your third choice. Are you with the Rebel Alliance? 

Gartner's latest report into worldwide mobile phone sales says end-users bought 314.7 million devices in the first quarter of 2010, 17% up on the same period in 2009. Smartphone sales rose 48.7% to 54.3 million units.

Hong Kong-based manufacturer G-Five made its debut in the top 10, while an increase in OEM 'white box' manufacturing has seen the 'others' category increase.

Microsoft and Nokia have launched the first application that's been created from the partnership announced last August. It's called Microsoft Communicator Mobile and is a business-focussed communications client for selected Symbian-based Nokia Eseries smartphones.

Communicator Mobile enables users to see their colleagues’ availability from the contacts application. Users can then click to communicate with colleagues using their preferred method, from instant messaging and email to texting or making a phone call.

This new application is available to download for the Nokia E72 and Nokia E52. The two companies plan to pre-install Communicator Mobile on select Nokia smartphones in the future, with support for additional devices also planned.

This week's edition of The Fonecast is full of big names. HP acquires Palm, HTC and Microsoft do a deal over Android, Apple sells a million iPads - and handset sales show some dramatic increases.