Responding to recent losses, Palm announced to trim its workforce of 1050 employees. Lynn Fox, Palm Inc’s spokeswoman, said the layoffs began this week, but she declined to specify how many jobs would be cut.

“The goal (of the layoffs) is to consolidate resources and focus our efforts more effectively,” said Fox while it is reported that the move comes as Palm focuses on its Linux-based “Nova” operating system, as well as a device on which the platform will run.

Palm, maker of the Centro and Treo smartphones, has constantly lost its market share to rivals Apple Inc and RIM (Research in Motion Ltd) recently. In efforts to right itself, the company has lured top talents from its competitor Apple like John Rubinstein, who helped create the iPod, and senior vice president of product development Mike Bell.

Early this year, a research conducted by ChangeWave showed Palm ranked last in customer satisfaction while Apple iPhone and RIM BlackBerry occupied the first and second positions. Another research (by ChangeWave too) lately pointed out only 5% of companies plan to buy a Palm smartphone in the next quarter, half the figure from a year ago. By contrast, 78% of corporations planned to buy a RIM device and 22% an iPhone.

There is no surprise that Palm shares have fallen around 65% this year. However, the stock has increased 45 cents (25% up) to close at $2.24 on Friday.