[kettlecorn]

Microsoft has for short periods in its history put out good UX and design, but fundamentally the company doesn't defend taste and design.

The company treats good design almost like a marketing expense only worth doing if it creates short term brand perception changes. Throughout its history it's had moments of great design when a particular leader creates a culture that promotes it, but inevitably someone higher up rotates out that leader and the culture resets.

That has been the pattern with Windows, Zune / Windows Phone, Xbox, Surface, and many other consumer facing products.