This is really an interesting feature (let's say 'feature' at this moment). Actually, in person, I do really consider this is an tremendous improvement for any carrier-required mobile devices.
It makes mobile devices really "mobile". Customers do not have to physically enter a local carrier store to add a new line/data-plan or transfer to another carrier. It might save a great amount of time and efforts especially when traveling overseas.
Hope it came to iPhone in near future. Due to the easiness of switching carriers, hope it would help bringing down prices.
Mac App Store is really helpful especially when updating installed applications. Just a click away rather than launch every one to find out whether they need update or not.
You responded to a well argued post about how Apple could moderately tweak the market to make things better for all sides of the market and your response was "blame the market" and "change your business model" which is what people are doing by leaving the store.
I suspect the down votes were because you added little to the discussion, educated no one (with that particular post) and people thought it deserved to be pushed down the page.
Can't wait for the invitation.