Internet blog posts, specially the kinds written by people in tech that gets shared around on HN tend to have opinionated, often inflexible view on things - as if their understanding and by extension the reality is immutable. This is not entirely bad because it does spur on good discussion. Just don't take everything you read to be encyclopaedic facts and don't be surprised with 'absurdities' of these sort.
And I do agree with you abt WP OS. It has a fine design language, is very pleasant to use and was ahead of its time in embracing flat design accentuated with tasteful transition effects. I can see some iconography and other stuff on iOS 7 screen-grabs that appear to have been inspired by WP8.
A long time iOS user, I recently got lured in by WP8's smooth, no frills stylings and Nokia Lumia's edible designs. WP8 started late, yes. But it's in no way asleep or doomed. Happy so far with it.
I know the only time I've ever seen one is on the commercials on TV.