Re: Limited audience
Microsoft's audience is management. (Think Pointy-Hair in Dilbert.) I'm a tech. Their SQL Server 2012 management console is completely graffitied-out in ridiculous end-user pop-up tools to the point that it is almost unusable to a hardcore developer like me.
High level managers and goofy kids coming up through today's universities absolutely love all the superfluous flash, easy (and very basic tools) and sizzle of current MS product demonstrations. High efficiency information workers just suffer working around all that junk.
As a MARKETING approach, Microsoft is (unfortunately) doing exactly the right thing. We're just bummed out that WE are not on the receiving end of all their billions.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
