@Carl
Then what is the point of this post other than to confuse, inflame, and bewilder people? For a post titled "Exchange Server: The Road Ahead", it seems like you've done your damnedest here to avoid actually telling us what lies on the road ahead.
I guess Exchange Team is just buying time. As we all (others) know MS will not inform anything unless they are allowed to do so. I've been working with Exchange about 10 years and this (E2013) is the first version that has been a big disappointment form me personally and for many of my colleges. I haven't heard anyone saying something positive about the product. The sooner MS will announce next version of Exchange the better.