The implications of a self-identifying “Starbucks channel” on the iPod touch (and, presumably, the iPhone) are huge. The capability opens up tons of potential for other “ambient applications,” including more that tie in to the iTunes store (and the credit cards required when setting up an iTunes account) for transaction processing.

This is the tip of a lucrative iceberg.

No, I’m quite certain the Record Companies still much prefer to steal music from their artists.