[kasey_junk]

Why would you think that? It's relatively uncommon for companies to transition employees when they decide to remove whole business functions.

[serf]

Apple famously renames positions in order to 'softly' get rid of an employee. That's why I would personally think along similar lines.

[microtherion]

"famously"? Could you name a few cases? I've heard of this practice in other companies, but never at Apple.

[maxxxxx]

It seems stupid that they just throw away talented people. And then they pay millions for talented people through buying startups.

[rhizome]

Penny-wise and pound-foolish perhaps, but Apple absolutely doesn't have a cash flow problem that would get in the way of any flavor of these decisions.

[addicted]

Well, buying failing startups because of their engineers also helps pad exec investments in those startups.

Keeping an employee does not.

[Naritai]

Rarely if ever are the laid-off people talented in the same area that those who are acquihired are.

[mgkimsal]

people have different talents and skills that are valued differently over time.