I see the situation as a lot like the original IBM PC wars. Originally you had the IBM PC and a bunch of "compatibles" that weren't drop-in compatible but half-

I see the situation as a lot like the original IBM PC wars. Originally you had the IBM PC and a bunch of "compatibles" that weren't drop-in compatible but half-assed compatible - many programs needed to be re-compiled to run on them. And other large American companies made these - they didn't expect to commodify the PC, they just wanted a small piece of a big market. The actual PC clones, pure drop-in compatibles, were made in Taiwan and they took over the market. Which is to say that large companies don't want a commodified market where prices are low and everyone competes on a level playing field - which is what "seamless transition" gets you. So that's why none of these companies are working to create that.