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History
editI was hoping to find information on the history of the feature, such as when it was first introduced (true shuffle, as opposed to just randomly picking a new track from the whole list after each track plays), how quickly it caught on with other models of CD player, how long it took to make its way down to the budget CD-player market, etc.
Algorithms
editbut how does it select the next tune? there must be a code key--even a musical key--to trigger transition from song to song. What is this principle? there must be a way.
I assume there is an algorithm used to randomise the song selection process, but I'd assume that algorithm varies from player to player... You could look at the source code of say mplayer to see how that generates the random key for selecting a song.. also Rockbox (a opensource firmware for iPod's) may also have source code for it's algorithm. I'd assume that algorithm for pc based players would be more random than say older cd players, due to the amount of cpu available to generate the random number for the song. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 121.209.124.42 (talk) 03:32, 10 December 2010 (UTC)
Notable?
editWould this be notable enough to include, and therefore give the article a bit more beef and reason to remain independent, re the "Generalize" template?
Bill Werde, Billboard editorial director:
I don't think that iTunes unbundled the album, but I think Apple sort of benefited from this eco-system that certainly supported the single. Really, it's the music fan that unbundled the album, by all of these fans clearly responding to this amazing new way to experience their music. I mean, the shuffle button? I think the shuffle button may have single-handedly changed the musical horizon of 50 percent of the world.
Mumbi Moody, Nekesa (Various early October 2011). "iTunes great for Apple, but was it for music biz?". Associated Press. Retrieved 2011-10-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)