> To "airpods" example - I think that it is more about Apple making great product than Apple enforcing control.

You cannot set up a HomePod without an iCloud account (over and above an Apple ID).

You cannot install even free apps on iOS without an Apple ID, which requires a telephone number.

It is indeed about control and the acquisition of identified user behavior data. Apple has growth targets to hit and only so much can be done via hardware sales. Services revenue doesn't grow automatically without deep, intense data on a user's habits.