Are you kidding me? They are setting up ALL of their hardware to utilize the App store and use that as a revenue generation machine. Why do you think the 3GS is subsidized to be had for pennies? Why do you think the iPad starts at $499 and can be had for $329 as a refurb? Do you think they make margin on these hardware items? No, they want more people to have access to the App store so they can get their cut!
Apple lives on the App store, free money basically rolls in on the backs of developers into Apple's bank account. The more devices out there connected to the App Store (now on Macs!) means more money for Apple. Why do you think they are imposing mandatory in-app purchases to Amazon and Google Books (among other apps)? Because they want people to design web apps? At the beginning Web apps were encouraged because the App store had not been completed and Apple wanted users to have some content. Now Apple wants Apps, because they get money. If other Devs start using HTML5 to circumvent the App store, look for Apple to block HTML5 just like Flash (Half joking here!).
The best of ZDNet, delivered
ZDNet Newsletters
Get the best of ZDNet delivered straight to your inbox
