Here’s a very interesting article from the Boston Globe about how Starbucks, Apple, and Akamai are partnering to bring iTunes downloads locally to each Starbucks location.  The intent is to increase download speed and provide unique music experiences for Starbucks customers.  I think this wonderful and can sprout so many other services available to people if similar services are offered widely at other brick-and-mortar stores.  The first thing that comes to mind is that each Starbucks location can customize their music selection based on what customers actually download within the store.  In this way instead of having a generic “Starbucks sounds”, each store could  have a “my local Starbucks Sound.”  I would love to have something like this in the grocery store so I could download a movie to watch for the evening while I grocery shop for the next few nights’ dinner.  Or, what if through my portable device I could listen to songs I like while I shop in the grocery store and the store still gets to broadcast specials and advertisements to me.  This would also enable inventory lists for shoppers so they could easily locate items in the store or order them if they are not available through a portable device.  There are so many possibilities!