Google, Motorola deal to result in massive layoffs, report claims

Now that Google's $12.5 billion deal to buy Motorola Mobility has closed, Google will reportedly be moving to cut Motorola's worldwide workforce in a big way. According to a new report, as much as 30 percent of Motorola's worldwide staff could be cut.

The report indicates that layoffs will hit almost immediately with a major portion of the workforce being affected. When the big G acquired DoubleClick last year, the search giant had 1,600 employees; 40 percent of that figure were let go.

For those in the dark here, Google announced last August that it would pay $40 a share for Motorola, giving the search giant a treasure trove of smartphone patents to defend itself and its partners. The deal was finalized in the shadow of a rising tide of legal challenges from Apple, Oracle and others.

At the time Google’s acquisition was announced, Motorola Mobility had around 20,000 employees. The flagging smartphone manufacturer has already laid off almost 1,000 employees, but now it looks like a lot more cuts are on the table.

All in all, I'm sure we'll find out more from Motorola and Google in the coming weeks.