Microsoft's shocking but inevitable decision to cut jobs today has had a huge impact on the company's future mobile plans. Of the massive 18,000 jobs slashed, 12,500 come from the newly acquired Nokia devices and services divisions and Redmond also put an end to the Nokia X Android line. That means we will not see any further forays into the Android market from device with the Nokia or Microsoft branding.
That is contrary to recent reports that seemed to hint that Microsoft was willing to press ahead with a plan first laid down when Nokia was still flying under its own flag. Redmond saw the benefits of having its own brand operating on the Android platform, especially as Microsoft makes more cash from Android than it does from its own Windows Phone OS.
The idea was for the Nokia X line to act as an Android based conduit into Microsoft's services with the end goal of users wanting to jump to Windows Phone to get the most from those features. At one point it was a tactic worth exploring, but with 12,500 jobs cut there is neither the manpower nor the cash to see it through, so Microsoft has pulled the plug.
That does not mean the Nokia X line will disappear entirely as Microsoft explained that a select number of the X range will remain and will be retooled to run on the Windows Phone ecosystem. If you happen to be rocking a Nokia X, your device could become something of a rarity, and if not, an oddity.
