It’s tricky though, because they will compete hard on some things if they sense it’s vital. Look at SQL Server, 2005 was probably the most improvement I have ever seen in a single ms release. But once they establish a lead they crank down the dial and cruise.

Indeed, IE was a typical example too. And WinXP. Once they have the lead, innovation goes on the slow burner.

Excel, in particular, was famously a force of greatness to be reckoned with.

This is true of any company large enough to have multiple core revenue drivers, with their own orgs.

At the end of the day, you only employ so many top-tier folks, and you have a current corporate focus.