The document summarizes the reverse engineering of the iPod Shuffle. It describes the product objectives to create a small, inexpensive portable music player. It outlines the user needs for basic music player functionality like playback controls and battery monitoring. It analyzes the iPod Shuffle's internal storage of music files, external buttons for control, and minimalist design focused on portability.

1. Reverse-Engineering of the
iPod Shuffle
Courtney Mitchell | ITP | Be Here Now | Spring 2012
Thursday, February 9, 12

2. Strategy Plane
Product Objectives:
✦ To be a small, inexpensive music player for people on the go.
✦ “The perfect mix: The colorful, clip-and-go iPod shuffle. With buttons, VoiceOver, and playlists, it’s
got all the greatest hits. Only $49.”
User Needs:
✦ a small, highly portable music player with basic music player functionality:
✦ on/off
✦ play/pause
✦ volume control
✦ a way to change which track is playing
✦ a way to monitor and charge the battery
✦ a way to upload music to the music player
Courtney Mitchell | ITP | Be Here Now | Spring 2012
Thursday, February 9, 12

3. Scope Plane
Scope Plane: What does the product do?
✦ In the most basic definition, the iPod Shuffle stores music files (synced
from your computer) and plays them.
✦ The songs can be played back in the specific order they were
uploaded (loop) or in a randomized order (shuffle).
✦ The user can change the track, play/pause a song, and adjust the
volume with the push of 5 different buttons on the front of the device.
✦ The user can clip the iPod shuffle onto their clothing, bag, etc. with the
built-in clip.
✦ The voice-over button allows the user to hear what song is currently
playing, hear the names of the different playlists uploaded, and monitor
the battery level.
Courtney Mitchell | ITP | Be Here Now | Spring 2012
Thursday, February 9, 12

4. Structure Plane
Structure Plane: What are the major clusters of content/
features?
✦ The internal structure: hidden beneath the aluminum case, the iPod shuffle stores music files.
✦ The software analyzes the playlists and songs and can speak the song titles, artists, and playlist
names with the push of a button
✦ The external structure: 5 main buttons on the front of the device: play/pause, volume up/down,
track forward/back. 1 button on the top of the device for voice-over. 1 sliding switch to select
between power off/loop/shuffle.
Courtney Mitchell | ITP | Be Here Now | Spring 2012
Thursday, February 9, 12

5. Skeleton Plane
Skeleton Plane: What features are visible? Where are they placed
on the page? Where is the navigation (if any)?
✦ Visible features include the 5 main buttons on the front of the device: play/pause, volume up/
down, track forward/back. 1 button on the top of the device for voice-over. 1 sliding switch to
select between power off/loop/shuffle.
✦ The navigation is done via these buttons, and in some cases in combination with the voice-over.
✦ The other main visible feature is the clip on the back which the user can use to attach the iPod
shuffle to his/her clothing/bag/etc.
Courtney Mitchell | ITP | Be Here Now | Spring 2012
Thursday, February 9, 12

6. Surface Plane
Surface Plane: What is the visual language of
the product? Color palette, size, shape,
feeling?
✦ The iPod shuffle is small, made of aluminum, and brightly colored.
The interface has remained unchanged throughout the various iPod
shuffle iterations, rendering it familiar and easy-to-use.
✦ It’s aesthetic beauty is in the smooth aluminum material, vivid color
choices, and minimalist design. In the case of the iPod shuffle, less
is definitely more.
Courtney Mitchell | ITP | Be Here Now | Spring 2012
Thursday, February 9, 12