New code doesn't use fixed function stuff these days. JWZ's point is that there is more than new code. Legacy code also matters, e.g. CAD applications. Those have little use for shaders. Frankly, your point of view sounds very game-centric to me.
Both nVidia and ATI have committed to supporting these older APIs for the foreseeable future.
Both nVidia and ATI have committed to supporting these older APIs for the foreseeable future.