Continuing to market a product toward which people have expressed bewilderment, annoyance and dislike merely because somebody on the carpet in the executive suite thought it’d be kewl and make a great Powerpoint presentation to show everything with matching UI, is hardheadedness, otherwise known as Ballmer.
Even the Edsel was changed due to popular distaste. Too late, though. It’s not as if there are no recognized principles behind good UI design. Microsoft violated them, trying to be different, to make a much-needed splash in the marketplace after several high-profile disappointments. The gamble didn’t pay out. Take the opportunity to respond to your customers while you still have them.