That is a very good question for Microsoft, my own opinion is that Microsoft may be pouring more resources into what they possibly see as their Media player of the future. It makes sense with touch technology to push consumers more toward Media Center or Zune rather than media player. Because if the ipod, media player is quickly becoming the inapt (for no valid reason) older brother of ITunes. It makes strategic sense for Microsoft to move toward an environment that cannot be compared to ITunes. Or it could simply be poor design from the Media player team.
Some of the options you may be missing may just be buried, accessible through the mini view.
