I don't think I have any particular wisdom on this issue beyond what JorgeA said.
I believe, as Jorge does, that in Microsoft's small minds removing "extra" features somehow serves to make the newer system seem seem "better" by comparison. I guess it was just Too Darned Hard to think of good new things for Windows to do beyond what 7 offered.
I'm fond of saying Microsoft manages mediocrity better than any company I've ever seen. I think this is just more of the same, and is a reaction to having top notch software engineers on staff replaced by low-paid programmers.
-Noel