Motorola to focus on Android, dump others?
updated 11:55 pm EDT, Tue October 28, 2008
Motorolas focus on Android
Motorola is expected to focus efforts on Google's Android operating system as a nearly exclusive platform for its phones, which could lead to even more layoffs and restructuring, according to sources that spoke to The Wall Street Journal. Recently appointed co-CEO Sanjay Jha will allegedly unveil a new set of plans, which could include a new round of layoffs, adding to the already staggering 10,000 jobs cut so far. The announcement could happen as early as Thursday, should this prove true.
Motorola's first Android phone is expected to offer a keen focus on social networking, not geared towards business users, as with its Q series handsets. The move to Android is one that Jha hopes will restore Motorola to its former glory, having slid behind other companies in overall sales worldwide.
The plans will reportedly involve scrapping four device platforms, leaving Android and two others, reducing the amount of staff required to oversee regional support.
It is unknown if the decision will delay Motorola's entry into Android territory, a move expected to come to fruition in 2009. It represents Motorola's attempts to catch up with Apple's iPhone, the BlackBerry, and several other key handsets.
Motorola sucks
10/29, 04:58am (1 reply) reply
This is not the 'droid I'm looking for.
Okonomiyaki
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@ Okonomiyaki
10/29, 08:12am reply
Nice :)
slider
Mac Elite
Joined: Oct 1999
Desparate
10/29, 08:47am reply
This is a very risky move. To place all your business into a new technology that is unproven, untested and nascent is very dangerous. The business future for Motorola must be dismal if this is future of their business.
Not saying Android will fail or not...it may be a wonderful alternative to RIM and iPhone. But no one knows now.
dynsight
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Joined: May 2005
Re: Desparate
10/29, 11:17am reply
How is this all their business? Motorola's entire business is not making cell phones.
And, as the article states, they're dropping four platforms, leaving them Android and two others. So it doesn't look like they're dumping all their other OSes.
And one could probably easily argue that having, apparently, 7 different platforms is not a good thing for so many different reasons.
Oh, and it is "desperate".
testudo
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Joined: Aug 2001
Moto"f'ng"rola...
10/29, 11:31am reply
Their answer to everything is layoffs. Especially after the execs rob their employees and investors blind. So their entire business is not making cellphones. Then I guess the rest of their business is worth $5 a share and their handset division is worth absolutely nothing. Motorola hired 350 programmers (Android monkeys) and we'll see exactly what consumers are going to get from this abundant resource of talent. Almost guaranteed to build the world's worst Android handset. There isn't one thing that company can do properly to gain investors some profit. One of the worst major U.S. tech companies, ever. The name Motorola has gone down in infamy. RIM and Apple stomped all over their sorry asses in the smartphone race.
Constable Odo
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Joined: Aug 2007