BUSINESS BRIEFING / CELLPHONES

Verizon Wireless has held talks with Microsoft Corp. about offering a handset that may include the Zune music-player software, a person familiar with the matter said.

The phone may be introduced next year, said the person, who declined to be identified because the talks are in the early stages. Verizon is also talking with Apple Inc. about selling a version of the iPhone, potentially giving the carrier access to the best-selling consumer handset, the person said.