iPod song shuffle function

[zill]

Can any of the more technically minded members tell me how the song shuffling is programmed on an iPod. I can't believe it is random because it seems like recently added or heavily played songs have a higher probability of being played. Or at least that's what it seems like to me.

[MikeP]

Well, I do know that iTunes has a slider to adjust the level of randomness (which seems like an oxymoron in my opinion) during shuffle (from more likely to less likely hearing sequential songs) but I don't believe the iPod lets you adjust this. So unless the iPod inherits this level from iTunes then I would assume it's set at moderate randomness. I've also noticed a tendency towards either heavily played or rated songs, but then I've also just flipped heads for the 15th time in a row![:D]

[WolverineSyr]

I've been wondering what's up with this myself. I have about 6 Chameleons songs on my ipod - every freaking time I put it on shuffle - there they are. Worse yet, I have a song by Joyce Kennedy from the Breakfast Club soundtrack. Again - everytime I shuffle, that song is bound to come on. I've gotta remove that damn song, I never really liked it in the first place...

[birdmadgirl]

I also have wondered about this. My iPod and iTunes on my computer seem to like certain songs a lot more than I do. I guess both feel like if they play "Someone Somewhere in Summertime" enough, it'll become my favorite song, too.

[hexicon]

Likewise, I've wondered. I don't rate my songs, but my mini seems disproportionally inclined to play stuff I really like and my other one wants to shuffle all the songs I don't like . . .

Is it true that if the same song is on multiple playlists that will make it more likely to be repeated when using the shuffle function?

[British]

On my Ipod, the "shuffle songs"(5K songs) just LOVES to play Slow Children tracks for no reason. Also, it comes as no surprise that it will play 2 tracks from the same artist within an hour.

When I hook it up to the car,it will have no qualms playing the same dang track after I shut off & restart the car, even if it's on shuffle mode(RND).

So much for percieved entropy.