The iPhone and iPod haven't conquered virgin markets, either.

The article we're all commenting on talks about Microsoft's ill-fated Tablet computer, which premiered almost a decade before the iPad. Microsoft does many things which could be considered 'innovative,' except that they never achieve widespread market acceptance.

Also, when was the last time Microsoft won with the "non-innovative innovation model" you refer to? Sharepoint? SQL Server? I can't think of any instance where this has worked in years.

Yes, even though their successes with that model were in the OS, browser and office wars decades ago, they made billions on those success this year.

I think MS follows the model because they won in the past.