They have a non zero chance of activating it in cars that they are selling now (or at least in the near future). You can't do that trick if you don't commit to the hardware.
More broadly I think you are right, it's hard to see where the different groups really stand from the outside.
>You can't do that trick if you don't commit to the hardware.
I agree, this was a pretty slick move all around. Add the hardware (which is simple and cheap), collect data, iterate on the technology, and sell it now as a "game-changer" and "upgrade". Elon has a knack for packaging things like this.
More broadly I think you are right, it's hard to see where the different groups really stand from the outside.