See... that's my point, though. We don't know if MS actually gives two ****s or not. We don't know if they're being completely lazy or not. They could be working their asses off, but something in their corporate culture drags things out. Maybe there were shortcuts taken in the OS which need to be fixed before the apps we all want work properly, and they have to fix those first. Maybe it's just a simple question of which WP issues get priority and which don't. Maybe the developers have to cut through 40 billion yards of red tape to get apps released.
I get your point, though. I love WP8 and my 820 - I think the device and the OS are just awesome - but it's currently sitting at home on my dresser where I use it as a WiFi-powered mini-tablet while I carry my iPhone 4S because of app and functionality issues.
Ultimately... we just don't know what's going on at MS so to assume laziness or disinterest seems more like a rage-gasm to me than anything else.
I think one major problem is that most of things developed on other platforms, like ios and android, are covered by Microsoft apps wich are to good to be replaced. Can't fight Skype, i'm an Viber user on Android and I hate it, I get so many messeges like: Viber is busy or it blocked the connection, try again later, some days is not usable, Skype may sound bad for a few seconds but it works, if u pay some little subscription work like a charm, Not to say that Viber end the call almost every few minutes, rarely I spoke for 15 min without interruption.
Gps and maps, who do you think will develop apps for WP8 with Nokia maps, drive, transit and bing maps wich are free.
Email, tell how many email clients compare to Outlook, the one from Lotus IBM (way too bussiness)and maybe from Firefox, that's all.
Word, Excel, Powerpoint no competiotion, and free with WP8, I have used and provided for poor client with Open Office for many years, it sucks big time.
Outlook Calendar and tasks best in class free with WP8, no need for 10 000 calendar app, widgets, to do apps, etc... like on android.
So wich apps are required from developers:
Photo, games, design, news, and maybe a few more.
So where are the money to be made from Microsft windows 8 phone, very few for small developers who made a buck with 99 cent to do apps and widget with nice design and email clients etc... And WP8 has maybe 10 million devices sold when Android tops 500 million. So if u are a small developer on wich platform will u channel your efforts, not on WP8, it is normal and logic. I would not expect to have lots and lots of developers and apps for wp8, can't compare to Android or iOS where there is rooms for money to be made.