Wait, the Windows team is now (some portion of) a merged team, and that is not reported on as a status downgrade for the OS? This article reads to me like it's just a press release, puff-piece coverage on Microsoft's behalf. Team merge will be good because Microsoft says it will be good? Ok!
Windows used to be --THE-- driving force at Microsoft. Now, it's "just a part of Surface".
Wow.
EDIT: Apparently some other news articles elsewhere conflict, so I don't know which to believe. Apparently Windows/Surface have been merged already, or merged before split and now this is a new merger? I'm sure someone is more knowledgeable about the correct timeline, which is less of an issue. Being combined is a downgrade, whether this week or two years ago. This isn't the first time Windows was downgraded as a driver either, having taken back seat to Azure - so much so that it was Azure's team lead who eventually became CEO. (Nadella)