>Similarly, MSN Direct - which provides weather, traffic and other services to devices such as in-car map systems - is also under review

Is this because they've realised that Tom Tom is

a) Beating them in the market place (something to do with being more accurate, faster, cheaper, friendlier and basically, um "better")

b) Going to win the case

less bloated ideas faster system ... well that suits me.

Hope only the bloaters get the sack ... but if HR is as bloated as Vista expect disparagement.

Just because there are cut backs that does not mean the product gets better as most of the time it's the opposite.

Generally key people at a company will be the same people desired elsewhere and thus will find work first in a layoff. Then there are the foot solders who do everything, they get hurt, hurt real bad and thus make up the forced part of the layoff.

That leaves the politicians, like Ballmer for instance, who while being a pile of useless shit will grease themselves into some undeserved spot and will avoid the sack.

take any notice of these numerous suggestions from the devoted slaves (er customers)

Question- A year ago did anyone foretell the current situation , cut backs in the products and sacking thousands of the unfortunate workers ?