Cyanogen has been going through a rough patch lately, with a significant layoff happening last week. Its CEO recently broke the silence.
At the end of last week, alternative Android OS developer Cyanogen sacked about 20 percent of its workforce, and rumors stated that the company is preparing to steer itself toward app development.
The first to report on the massive job axing was Android Police, which speculated that the enterprise is heading toward a "major strategic shift." According to Android Police's sources, Cyanogen was about to change its focus from OS to app development.
Recode has confirmed the shift in strategy and affirmed that Lior Tal, Cyanogen's new COO, was overseeing the procedures.
On Monday, Kirt McMaster, CEO at Cyanogen, sent out a few tweets where he explains why the reports were mistaken, particularly those referring to Cyanogen switching to app development.
Cyanogen NOT pivoting to apps. We are an OS company and our mission of creating an OPEN ANDROID stands. FALSE reporting was outstanding.
— Kirt McMaster (@cyanogenone) July 25, 2016
In his recent tweet, McMaster also takes a swing at what he calls "FALSE reporting" (his emphasis).
Keep in mind that Cyanogen did not refute the reports on July 22, with the most likely explanation being that the layoff part was accurate. McMaster tweeted on July 23 to confirm the job cuts and pointed out that when dealing with startups, workforce disruption can be brutal. He went on to say that it makes him "really sad" to let valuable personnel go.
As you would expect, the Cyanogen CEO did not reveal exactly how many employees were discarded from the team. Initial reports from Android Police estimated that from the 136 people working for Cyanogen Inc., 30 got the boot. This makes for 20 percent of the total workforce of the software company. Sources familiar with the matter noted that most of them were employed in the OS development department, which sparked the abovementioned rumors.
Take note that McMaster sent his tweets from an iPhone. One would expect for the helm of a company that prides itself on delivering an improved Android OS to use a smartphone that actually utilizes it.
Steve Kondik, co-founder of the company, backs up McMaster's affirmations.
In a July 25 blog post, Kondik reassures the developer community that "CyanogenMod isn't going anywhere." He adds that Cyanogen will keep supporting CM and take a proactive role in its growth.
"Contrary to popular belief, we are not 'pivoting to apps' nor are we shelving CM," Kondik says.
