&gt; it seems that impressive products of Microsoft research look like proofs of concept rather then viable mass products.<p>Isn&#x27;t that kind of the point of having a research division? Let the research people go crazy with new ideas, then sift through them and figure out what to make of that, product-wise?<p>It&#x27;s not like MS Research hasn&#x27;t delivered some cool stuff, but Microsoft was either not capable or not interested in turning that stuff into products. At least that is the impression I get.