It does feel like the decision making is internal-politics-driven rather than customer-satisfaction-driven, for both Mac and Windows now. Senseless changes that have little in common with other changes.

We've had this for decades with Windows, and internal leaks confirming that it's all to do with turf wars between departmental heads.

As you say, it's an indication that Apple are going down the same road, and are unable to actually execute a vision anymore.