Reports are suggesting that the rumored Nokia McLaren device may no longer be coming to fruition after Microsoft has allegedly killed it off.
It's the latest move by Microsoft to come under scrutiny and this rumor comes only days after the company announced it would be laying off around 18,000 workers as part of an effort to streamline its business strategy as it moves into new arenas.
According to reports, the McLaren would have featured a number of options that the recent launch of the Amazon Fire Phone had, which meant that killing it off makes sense in order not to double up in the market with an already established model.
The decision, according to the reports, was made weeks ago to discontinue development of the Nokia McLaren, even though there had been optimism for the new phone before Nokia was acquired by Microsoft, who incorporated much of its workforce with its own.
The result will mean that Microsoft is not expected to release a flagship smartphone this year, at least as far as media coverage is concerned. It is a disappointment for the company, which had previously argued it had "something amazing" coming for a new Windows Phone. Some observers wonder if the death of the McLaren and its rumored gesture recognition abilities will give way to a new innovative device that has yet to be discussed.
Jerry Berg, Microsoft's senior software development engineer in test, was reported to have said, "You want to hear a cool teaser, though? Just wait for it ... something is going to happen in the Windows Phone space that will upset the entire world across everything."
Initial speculation at the time pointed to the Nokia McLaren Windows Phone handset, but now one has to wonder if the engineer was referring to an as yet unheard of device. Or whether he was talking about the coming death of the McLaren.
But with the job cuts coming, many are wondering what direction Microsoft plans on taking. CEO Satya Nadella said the cuts are needed to streamline efficiency after its recent purchase of phone manufacturer Nokia.
Nadella did say those workers being let go will receive a severance package and assistance in finding a new job, although he did not delve into what either of those will mean specifically.
The CEO, in a letter to employees that has been published by the tech company, said its "work toward synergies and strategic alignment on Nokia Devices and Services is expected to account for about 12,500 jobs, comprising both professional and factory workers. We are moving now to start reducing the first 13,000 positions, and the vast majority of employees whose jobs will be eliminated will be notified over the next six months."
