It's the same with Apple. You can't use an iPhone device without connecting to Apple; "use" in the reasonable sense.
There should be a law against this tethering of devices by the vendor when you buy a product as opposed to a service.
There should be a law against this tethering of devices by the vendor when you buy a product as opposed to a service.
That's a slightly different world than requiring a valid, working credit card. iPhones work without a working credit card.
And if you use the device long enough, I'm sure there will be sufficient information for Apple to link the device back to you.