The general issue here is that compatibility and vendor independence are both highly desirable features in the market, which tends to favor lowest-common-denomi

The general issue here is that compatibility and vendor independence are both highly desirable features in the market, which tends to favor lowest-common-denominator technology standards, since all of the vendors want to maintain their competitive advantage. This goes both ways: keeping the good stuff proprietary and locked in, and refusing to buy into attempts at open standards offered by a competitor.