As expected Q4 numbers are ugly, perhaps, even more so than everyone estimated. Apple seems to be the only company that has thus far weathered the storm. Rumors of big Microsoft layoffs had been percolating around for a while but the 5000 number was still surprising to some. There is a lot of overlap in functions and positions, so it is a good time to pare things down, that’s why you didn’t see a cut-back in products. Google like Intel took the timely write-off. Sony-Ericsson despite a good quarter is cutting back. Nokia sales have slid by double digits. LG overtook Motorola (though final numbers to be confirmed).

What does this mean to the mobile data market? we don’t know yet. we are expecting some negative impact but overall there still should be decent growth. How much? we will find out in the next 2-3 weeks as carrier earnings start to pour in. However, as we said before, Q1 numbers will be the real indicator of the state of the economy, so until April, we will be sort of guessing.