AThe market has responded with confusion and skepticism. The primary question for most is Apple Inc.'s (NASDAQ:AAPL) involvement. Already the market driver, some wonder what would tempt Apple to share the take with Starbucks. Schultz may have tipped his hand in this respect by referring to MP3s, a universal music format that iTunes does not provide.
Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), on the other hand, might have great interest in such a partnership to push their new Zune player, their attempt to horn in on the Apple personal music and portable video empire. After they failed to break the iPod's lock on sales during the past Christmas season, MS might be looking for some strong cross-marketing opportunities.









