It's all about the money, money ...
This is just a very transparent maneuver to transfer Apple money into Carls pockets. If you think about it, what happens if Apple buys back shares is that Apple will have less money in the bank (capital decrease as a result of a share buyback). While Carls one billion position is suddenly a much larger percentage of the available shares. With a much higher price tag. Not really a win-win, if you ask me: Apple has less money, Carl has more money and more influence. No wonder the shares are soaring as people are jumping on the band wagon.
http://www.theverge.com/2013/8/14/4619632/icahn-buys-apple-stake-1-billion
how exactly will iCahn force Apple to buy back shares?
he can't "force" anything for the moment, but he has a track record of being very persistent so let's wait and see.
iWait...