This kind of thing puts a smile on my face, because it breaks the omnipotence of one company in the industry. Making the market reflect its true colors, which is competition. In this case, it was Microsoft who got there first, and not Apple.

I hope this kind of innovation is maintained, because we the users benefit from this. In so many ways.

I wonder if Microsoft hadn't invested everything into flat design, would Apple had moved away from skeuomorphism so fast ? I think not. I hope to see Apple fighting for the design lead again.