I think people at Microsoft need more time to create a truly well-thought user experience. Maybe they should ditch their current release cycle and focus on:
a) better updates for current windows versions
b) take twice the time to realease a new windows version
That Windows 9 looks likely as an October release - that's MicroSoft's Q1/2015 - it appears MicroSoft is tick-tocking Windows releases...Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 9.
They are already on a yearly cycle with many of their non-OS products.
8.1 also successfully addressed the legitimate criticism regarding better modal integration of Metro and Desktop metaphors.
Most of the criticism of Windows 8 is generated in an echo chamber with a tradition of anti-Microsoft tribalism born in the dawn of the public commercial internet. Windows 8 introduces the replacement for a 40 year old WIMP metaphor and many people don't want change.