> Not counting game consoles, which always had a very similar distribution model, but importantly were often subsidized by their platform operator, and I hope n

> Not counting game consoles, which always had a very similar distribution model, but importantly were often subsidized by their platform operator, and I hope nobody is claiming that iPhones are loss leaders for Apple Sounds like you're proposing one of two possible business models: 1. Pay a fixed price for the device at time of purchase that includes costs for services used in the future 2. Subsidize the physical device in favor of pricing the services at a margin to recoup costs for the device Blackberry for 1. or Amazon Fire Phone for 2. Why force some other company (Apple) to bend to your will?