@Giles
That's different because they're Microsoft. Excluding DOS. which they actually bought from someone else, their write and release model is:
1) Write code for something new. Release it for sale. Have the users do the Alpha testing.
2) Fix the bugs found during alpha testing. Release it for sale as a full number upgrade. Have the users do the Beta testing.
3) Fix the bugs found during Beta testing. Release it for sale as another full number upgrade. Discover users no longer want the product.
4) Kill the product. Let is mold on the shelf for a year or more.
5) Discover need for shelved product. Re-brand it. Do some actual internal Beta testing. Fix bugs found.
6) Release it for sale under the re-branded name. Roll out the hype machine. Get users to buy it and conduct additional beta testing.
7) Fix new bugs found in beta testing. Release it as a .x upgrade at a discounted price.
8) Corner the market.
So nobody is actually expecting MS to have a working Cloud product. The only thing we know for sure is that when they have a working product, it won't be a Cloud product.