Microsoft gets corporate brainlock periodically, for instance when they missed the advent of the whole internet thingie back in the nineties. They lined up all the Senior VP’s of Product Development, gave them the “Internet Internet!” marching orders, they fanned out across Redmond and spread the word. Next thing you know, you couldn't escape it, internet bloatware, internet activation, internet error reports ... I'm surprised Clippy didn't get with the program and sprout an “@”.
Same thing here, singleminded brainlock on tablets and cross platform OS. It makes a great Powerpoint presentation, to show all the little devices arrayed around Mother Windows Desktop, all with Exciting Innovative Large Tiles. Nevermind that end users aren't interested in working that way, it's just an annoyance. The poobahs have Addressed The Market Challenge.
I have no idea how Microsoft ever became such a colossus, they're the prime example of every silly corporate behavior and buzzwordism to come down the pike, Dilbert central.
I've long loved to hate them, but a lot is riding on their getting their collective corporate heads out of their posteriors, a lot of decent people depend on them for employment. So, I hope they figure it out and right themselves before it's too far gone,
Licensing agreements and required upgrades.