Motorola Slashing Jobs, Outsourcing Windows Mobile Development

Although our friends at Android Central aren't complaining about Moto's new Android focus, over here on the Windows Mobile side of things it looks a little grimmer. The new Co-CEO, Sanjay Jha, is exerting his newfound authority by making some pretty sweeping changes. ...And by 'changes' we mean cutting 'thousands' of jobs, scrapping 'dozens of phone designs' and consolidating around just three operating systems: Android, Windows Mobile, and feature-phone P2K. It looks like Moto will use Android for all their consumer stuff, relegating Windows Mobile to business. What's more, Engadget notes that they'll probably outsource their WinMo development too.

In other words, don't expect much more hidden innovation like we saw on the Silver Q9h. We also don't know what this means for the Alexander or the Atilla or, heck, the Napoleon. We figure all three are far enough along that they'll see release.

As for this potential outsourced company, no word on that yet. Whoever it is, we hope that they're able to manage that Moto hasn't yet; Namely: putting screens with higher resolution that 320x240 into their phones. [WSJ]

WC Staff