John,
Likewise, Makita got complacent, and lost a market it once "owned".
That's quite true, first cordless drill I ever owned was a Makita, I wouldn't buy another now.
Also,
Now if everybody had interchangeable batteries....that would be something to crow about!
Indeed it would be, but I can't really see that happening anytime soon.
One point I'd like to make about batteries for these drills, I wish that the cost of replacing a worn out battery pack wasn't as high as what it is.
I've stored my old drills away because the cost of getting the batteries replaced or repacked was more than the price of a new tool.
Meanwhile you are left with a tool you can't use or sell just because the battery pack gave up the ghost. GRRR
I only use cordless tools when working outdoors anyway, or there is no power supply nearby.