Some analysts - but mostly Apple fan boys - are interpreting the latest release of bad news from embattled BlackBerry maker Research in Motion as evidence that RIM's glory days are definitely over. On Monday, RIM announced that it will be laying off some 2,000 employees in a significant cost-cutting effort that speaks to the company's lingering - and some say worsening - financial problems.
“The work force reduction is believed to be a prudent and necessary step for the long term success of the company and it follows an extended period of rapid growth within the company whereby the work force had nearly quadrupled in the last five years alone,” RIM said in a statement.
For some time now, we've been hearing rumors that Apple may very well make a move to buy the financially downtrodden firm, although neither Apple or RIM has hinted this may actually happen. Reports of RIM's troubles have, in many cases, been grossly exaggerated. But at the end of the day, the data doesn't lie. And BlackBerry is now trailing well behind its iOS and Android rivals in a broad variety of consumer usage and preference categories.
For now, naturally, RIM is endeavoring to maintain a positive tone, even following the undeniably difficult news that the company is slashing thousands of jobs. Fortunately at least for those losing their positions, RIM says "all impacted employees will receive severance packages and outplacement support."
Source: RIM
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