The article cites the Windows licensing price (~$90), then goes on to say how it would be "hard pushed to compete" at $10, then states Apple giving iOS for free

The article cites the Windows licensing price (~$90), then goes on to say how it would be "hard pushed to compete" at $10, then states Apple giving iOS for free and Amazon getting Android for free. The contextual implication is that Apple and Amazon pay ~$0 (certainly <$10) for their OSs.