Disagree with this article. There was a rather good article on hacker news a few weeks ago which made a lot more sense as a reason for Microsoft/Google/et al dropping projects. Wish I could remember the name so I could link to it.
The essence though is that the Googles of this world have completely different sets of requirements to the startups of this world. Additionally the public has expectation of the Googles that are vastly different to their expectation on smaller, younger company's. This is not Google or Microsoft screwing up, but rather dropping products that don't meet their requirements or what they perceive are the requirements of the public/customers.
I am no fanboi, almost the opposite in fact as far as Microsoft is concerned, but I do respect the power of these companies to lead and to innovate.
The essence though is that the Googles of this world have completely different sets of requirements to the startups of this world. Additionally the public has expectation of the Googles that are vastly different to their expectation on smaller, younger company's. This is not Google or Microsoft screwing up, but rather dropping products that don't meet their requirements or what they perceive are the requirements of the public/customers.
I am no fanboi, almost the opposite in fact as far as Microsoft is concerned, but I do respect the power of these companies to lead and to innovate.