Sounds like "Windows" is becoming the red headed stepchild at Microsoft. Things change. Apple started as Apple Computer and when it was obvious to them that iTunes, iPods and other devices were going to drive the company on, they dropped Computer and became Apple Inc. Markets and products change. Change with them.
I don't see why cannibalization should be viewed as blasphemy. Just calling it blasphemy is legacy thinking.
You couldn't be more correct with what you wrote. :thumb: This is the reason for Microsoft "Reimagined" as a corporation.
I can imagine a conversation between Gates and his old buddy Paul Allen a few years or so ago :
"Paul, our old desktop PC market is flat lining. I think our OS sales on them will eventually dwindle and we just put out our best one ever! I don't think we'll be able to survive!"
"Yea, Bill, I see that! 7 is your best OS. What are you going to do?"
"I don't know. Any suggestions?"
Well, Bill, looks like the Steves are selling a lot of that iMe mobile stuff. They're making a killing! And have you seen the prices of that stuff?!! Those Google boys have gotten into it too. Perhaps you ought to get into that market."
"How do I do that, Paul?"
Well, Bill, I think you're going to have to write a mobile OS that's touch-centric for mobile devices."
"I tried that with the Windows Phone. It doesn't seem to be a big hit like the iPhone or Android! The mobile carriers seem to push those devices more."
"Well, Bill. Your Windows Phone is good, but it's lacking apps. Here's what you do. You're going to have to act something like a Chameleon and mimic your competition, but do one better. Use your Windows Phone as an advantage. Write a mobile OS to work along with it. That way users will become familiar no matter what device they're using. Open a store and start pushing apps. You may even want to get into the hardware business with a device. You were successful with the Xbox."
"Wow, Paul! That's a tall order. We're going to have to invest millions in that!"
Well, Bill, you're going to have to change to survive."
Ok, Paul. I'll present all this to the board to see what they think."
A few months ago:
"Well, Paul. The board thought it was a great idea! We did all you suggested. As you can see we got 8 out and improving it with 8.1, but some of the techies on WindowsEight Forums are complaining about it! They don't like it on their desktop PCs!"
Aw, Bill. Don't worry about those techies. They're but a minority. They're smart enough to make it look and act like 7 or they may stick with 7. Some may even go to a different OS. You may lose some. Remember, 7 Is your ace in the hole while you make the change. Businesses will most likely change to that anyway. Not to worry. It'll take time, but once the masses find out you wrote an OS to work across all devices along with the Windows Phone and they become familiar with it you'll have it made in the shade. That's one better than your competition is doing!"