Steemit.inc has really let the site fall behind and also been very slowly to produce the tools necessary for this but I am still hopeful that the community features to allow for a more personalised experience.

Not really, they have forced development. This nterface is kind of like a proof of concept but the development of it is to decentralize the development of it. That is what they are doing. Steemit Inc are working on the infrastructure while the surface is completely independently operated.