Motorola expected to cut more jobs as it simplifies around Android

Ugh, it looks like Thursday is shaping up to be another sad Moto day. The Wall Street Journal is reporting this morning that Sanjay Jha, former Qualcomm exec and Motorola co-CEO tasked with resurrecting Motorola's mobile-devices division, is about to slash jobs in an effort to bring costs and production under control. Though obviously unwelcome news, it likely won't come as a surprise to employees since Jha reportedly told them that Motorola has two to three times as many employees working on individual projects compared to its competitors. Cuts will likely number in the "thousands," according to the WSJ's sources, and could come as early as Thursday when Motorola announces earnings... or more likely, lack thereof. Motorola has already shed 10,000 jobs since the start of 2007. In addition to job cuts, Jha plans to "scrap dozens of phone designs" while scaling back its mobile-OS inventory from more than a half-dozen to just three: Android for multi-media and Internet showcase phones, Windows Mobile for ho-hum business devices, and its own P2K for low-end phones. Moto will likely outsource at least some of its WinMo phone production as well. As to his motivation: $100 million and 3 percent stock if Mr. Jha manages to spin-out the mobile devices division into an independent company by late 2010. $30 million if he fails. Win-win, eh Sanjay?
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: android, google, motorola, p2k, sanjay jha, SanjayJha, windows mobile, WindowsMobile, winmo ]

BlackBerry gets live video streaming

Qik is increasingly targeting the mass market with its mobile live video streaming technology. The company has already launched clients for a range of platforms including Symbian, Windows Mobile, and some Java-enabled phones. Now, Qik is making its way onto the BlackBerry, with an alpha version of Qik available for the BlackBerry Bold, Pearl 8120 / 8130 and Curve 8320 / 8330.

For those not familiar with the free app, Qik lets mobile phone users embed live video streams on Qik.com, social networks like MySpace, Orkut, and Facebook, and to any personal blog – users need only to download the app, create an account, and they’re good to go.

The release of an alpha client for the BlackBerry is a significant move for Qik, as it enables the company to tap a much broader platform. Unfortunately there's no word on when Qik will make its way to Android devices or the iPhone – it runs well under jailbroken iPhones but Apple is yet to allow the app on its store.
[Via: Jose Vilches ] [Tag: ]

BlackBerry Bold up for pre-order at Best Buy: $680 smackers

We already knew RIM's BlackBerry Bold would sell for a stiff $299.99 on contract with AT&T, but if you're one of the many AT&T users who'd rather not sign a new agreement (or renew your current one), you've probably been patiently waiting to hear an unsubsidized price. Here is it, but we're warning you, you might want to sit down. The contract-free Bold is listed at $679.99 at Best Buy, and fittingly enough, the product page offers a convenient link for seeking financing. At any rate, it also tells us that pre-orders will typically ship out within one to two weeks, though we'd be hesitant to bet the farm on that. After waiting for, like, ever, for this handset to finally hit shelves, are you still so anxious to drop nearly seven bills to claim one as your own?
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: 9000, att, best buy, best buy mobile, BestBuy, BestBuyMobile, blackberry, blackberry bold, BlackberryBold, bold, pre-order, RIM ]