Microsoft's (MSFT) cost-cutting measures drove it to lay off thousands
of employees. As expected, it also led to some perks being
discontinued for its remaining employees.

For instance, Microsoft won't pay for its employees' Apple iPhone data
service plans anymore, even if they're used significantly for work
purposes. Nor will it pay for Research In Motion BlackBerry service,
or a new Palm Pre. Instead, it will only reimburse data plans for
Microsoft Windows Mobile-powered smartphones.

That's not particularly alarming: Many companies have never reimbursed
employees for personally owned devices. And some relevant divisions
will be able to keep the status quo. For example, we've heard that
Razorfish -- the ad agency Microsoft owns -- is still paying for any
mobile plan/carrier/platform.

But for many Microsoft employees who use their devices to do company
work on the road, it no doubt feels like a shafting. Compared to the
iPhone, new BlackBerry software, or even Google Android, today's
Windows Mobile is clunky and unappealing. New, less-crappy editions
are on the way, but that doesn't help today.

A Microsoft rep confirms that data plan reimbursement "is limited to
Windows Mobile devices." They add: "This policy took effect as part of
the broader cost saving measures announced earlier this year."