Starbucks has seen the future and it [involves MP3s][1], not CDs. The coffee giant experimented with CD-burning machine in some stores last year, but later pulled them and apparently abandoned the idea. Earlier this week, Starbucks Chairman Howard Schultz said that the company will be adding MP3 "filling stations" later this year. "Within 12 months, probably, you're going to be able to walk into a Starbucks and digitally be able to fill up your MP3 player with music," Schultz claimed. Though there are no details beyond that, but given that Starbucks already has its own section on the iTunes Store, Apple seems a likely partner for the venture. The question is, will anyone want to buy music from Starbucks? Perhaps the MP3 machine will provide a way to avoid that pointless banter with the chatter-happy barista who's taking his time whipping up your over-priced coffee. I wonder if Starbucks will list MP3 bit rates in faux Italian... [1]: http://www.informationweek.com/hardware/personaltech/177102859 "Starbucks To Offer MP3s"