BOOM. It's moves like this that are going to ensure that Windows 8 prevails in the end. I hate to make the comparison, but Microsoft's only competitor is Apple and now that Jonny Ive is helping out with the design aspects of not just the products but interfaces, Microsoft have forced Apple's hand so-to-speak. I doubt we'll be seeing Apple make a web-based touch interface for building applications, but it'll no doubt…
Microsoft's competition isn't just Apple, in fact I would say that their real competition is Google/Samsung which seems to be replacing what was Microsoft/Intel. Also while easy to make apps is a great idea, sadly it may not be a game changer. If you look back at HyperCard it was a cool product, but it didn't save Apple from almost going under by the mid-90s.
Having just picked up one of the new ARM based Chromebooks, I am inclined to agree. Until now I have never fully appreciated how complete Google's offerings are, from paid apps in the Chrome web store to paid movies on YouTube... to say nothing of the inventory size of both.