Linux has a rich ecosystem, but the toolkit is haphazard and a little shakey. Sure, everyone uses it, because when we last evaluated our options (in like 2009) it was still the most robust solution. That may no longer be the case.
Given all of that, and taking into account building a product on top of it, and thus needing to support it and stand behind it, Linux wasn't the best choice. Looking ahead (in terms of decades) and not just shipping a product now, it was found that an alternate ecosystem existed to support that.
Culture of the community, design principles, maintainability are all things to consider beyond just "is it popular".
Given all of that, and taking into account building a product on top of it, and thus needing to support it and stand behind it, Linux wasn't the best choice. Looking ahead (in terms of decades) and not just shipping a product now, it was found that an alternate ecosystem existed to support that.
Culture of the community, design principles, maintainability are all things to consider beyond just "is it popular".
Exciting times in computing once again!