Funny thing being is that doing that exploring and tinkering is what makes them more money. Otherwise you're just stuck with trying to make a thinner iPhone and that doesn't seem to be going all that well...

The best model I've seen is the 3M-style "10% Time"

Under that model, 10% of your time is completely up to you (within reason) to work on things that aren't your main project or scope.

Works out well for R&D or more open ended positions, since you can have the flexibility to explore hunches without having to justify a whole project around it.