Microsoft is reportedly building a gaming tablet; ZTE leaked a smartphone with a 5.9-inch screen

Quick news from around the Web.

@FierceWireless: RT@phonescoop: Microsoft to Merge Skype and Windows Live Messenger Services. ArticleFollow@FierceWireless

> Microsoft is reportedly building its own 7-inch gaming tablet. Article

> HTC and Verizon Wireless appear to be preparing for another holiday device announcement. Article

> Analytics firm Chitika reports that Samsung's Galaxy Note II is off to a strong start. Article

> Research firm Strategy Analytics reports that Qualcomm topped the cellular baseband market with 51 percent revenue share in the first half of 2012. Release

> ZTE appears to have leaked a photo of a smartphone with a 5.9-inch screen. Article

> Texas Instruments unveiled its first single-stage wireless charging integrated chip (IC).  Article

> Amdocs reported quarterly revenue of $822 million.  Release

> Sprint signed new seven-year managed services deal with Amdocs for its billing and customer care systems. Release

> NII Holdings reported subscriber adds of 152,000 and operating revenues of $1.49 billion. Release

Mobile Content News

> Mobile application revenues will increase from less than $1 billion in 2009 to more than $35 billion in 2017, according to a new forecast issued by research firm Strategy Analytics.  Article

> Microsoft will expand its Office productivity suite to mobile devices running Apple's iOS and Google's Android in 2013. Article

> MasterCard and ING Group are teaming to trial a payment service that lets consumers complete online purchases via mobile phone even when shopping on another connected device. Article

And finally… President Barack Obama's tweet last night has been retweeted more than any other tweet.  Article