They did center on the more non modeling tool sets within maya,
I think if i had to guess its mostly because they recognize that maya has fallen behind as a modeling tool but still holds the forte for a lot of other tool sets.. One can only hope they planned to fortify its standing there with animation and dynamics, only so the next release could bring the modeling tools back up to par once more?...

I understand you've been busy mate, no worries.
Just glad you're alive.
you might want to wait till i get a chance to mail you again before you reply anyway as, that one is so far out of date, you'd be replying to things that arn't a factor anymore LoL

G-man