Google offers sacked Nokia engineers a lifeline

Google hasn't exactly had words of support for Nokia and Microsoft in the run up to today's Windows Phone deal announcement, and the search giant has been quick to step in amid Stephen Elop's confirmation of Nokia job losses across the world. Google EMEA recruiter Aidan Biggins gleefully pointed out that Google was hiring, and invited Nokia software engineers to apply.

"Any Nokia software engineers need a job?" Biggins tweeted, reminding those potentially facing redundancy that "We're hiring: www.google.com/jobs." Nokia has not confirmed how many jobs will be lost as it retools to handle the Windows Phone partnership, though it does expect a reduction in services, MeeGo and obviously Symbian R&D investment, while Mobile Phones R&D will increase.