Other than the comedy value of the Specialized u-turn it's not really news though is it? The only 26" wheel mountain bike we sell at work is a womens specific one. For good or bad, Specialized don't have a choice.
While 650B has exploded in popularity, virtually all DH bikes are still 26" and there are still a number of great 6" bikes with 26" wheels too. It is my opinion that 650b should add to the options, not replace 26". Each has their benefits, and it is my belief that a rider's height should play a major role in deciding wheel size (6'5" on a 26er? If you were a kid on a kid's bike, it would be common sense that you've outgrown your bike). Good rule of thumb: if the wheels look disproportionately small or large, they are probably the wrong size IMO.
All that said, the actual difference between 26" and 650b is so small that there's just barely justification for 650b to exist in the first place - so many other factors will change a bike more than this wheel size difference. Everything else equal, the slightly larger hoops will improve certain characteristics, but it's not the difference that marketing will tell you