Looks like Starbucks is moving closer to offering digital music downloads through their Hear Music program, allowing customers to load MP3s directly onto portable players, in addition to CD sales and on-the-spot CD burning:

"A lot of our customers are asking for device fill-up, and going forward we'll do that,'' Ken Lombard, president of Starbucks Entertainment, said yesterday in an interview at the Midem music- industry conference in Cannes, France.

Luckily, it's easier than ever to get your tunes into places like Hear Music, through companies like IODA and CD Baby.