Motorola to "continue to focus on Windows Mobile" - the roller coaster continues

Responding to persistent rumours that Motorola is stopping Windows Mobile development, underlined by the recent laying off of 77 people at its Plantation Windows Mobile facility, Motorola has again issued an official denial.

Maya Komadina, a Motorola spokeswoman said, despite speculation that the layoffs indicate a decision to cut Windows Mobile, Motorola is still supporting the operating system, she said. “It is important to note that Motorola’s strategy for the Mobile Devices business has not changed — we continue to focus on Windows Mobile as one of our software platforms, and there are teams working on Windows Mobile development at other facilities,” she said.

On Friday, Motorola disclosed that among the 3,000 people it is laying off in its mobile devices division are 77 people working in its Plantation, Florida, facility. Those workers are involved in Windows Mobile development, said .

In October, Sanjay Jha, co-CEO of Motorola and CEO of the handset division, said that the company would focus on Android and Windows Mobile phones, cutting the rest of the operating system platforms that the company has supported. But as the company’s handset division continues to struggle, onlookers are watching for signs of other changes in the business strategy.

Motorola has historically spread itself too thin by supporting practically every OS out there, said Jack Gold, analyst at J. Gold Associates. Paring down to Android and Windows Mobile makes sense, he said. Windows Mobile lets Motorola target the enterprise and is also the basis for many devices made by Symbol, the Motorola group that makes devices like handheld barcode scanners for vertical markets.

We will continue to keep an eye on this story, but I have a feeling the only way this story will be laid to rest if Motorola releases an amazing Windows Mobile device, and while the MotoSurf A3100 is nice, it is not that.

Read more at PCWorld.com