[josho]

Two thoughts here. I love the contrast between Apple and Microsoft. That is Microsoft frequently announces products/technologies with no shipping dates. While on the other side of the spectrum Apple builds out their products in secrecy announcing only when they have a ship date. As a developer building on their platforms I prefer Apple's approach as it lowers my risk of developing against a vapourware product.

Second, I'm betting Microsoft announced this before its ready in order to get out ahead of Apple and Android's mobile dominance and be seen as a leader in mobile. Though, I'd also bet that given where current technology is Apple's Continuity approach provides the better experience today. But, no doubt what Microsoft showed is the future.

[melling]

Microsoft did invent the term vaporware and they've been using it to their advantage for decades:

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaporware

[kemiller]

I suspect it doesn't work as well when you're a marginal player (as they are in mobile today) as when you're the 800-lb gorilla.

Edit: I suppose this is a case of them trying to pull the conversation back to the place where they ARE an 800-lb gorilla. I just don't see them as being as dominant even on the desktop as they once were.