Patent ID: 7593782

Claim:
A portable media player, comprising: a non-volatile memory for storing a plurality of digital media assets; a multi-position switch configured to switch positions between at least: (i) an off position, (ii) a continuous playback mode position for media playback in a continuous media playback mode, and (iii) a shuffle playback mode position for media playback in a shuffle media playback mode; and a controller operatively connected to the memory, the controller operable in a media mode and a data mode, wherein in the media mode the controller is operable to: control playback of the media assets, in response to received user input, so that (i) the media assets are to be played back in the continuous media playback mode when the multi-position switch is in the continuous playback mode position, and (ii) the media assets are to be played back in the shuffle media playback mode when the multi-position switch is in the shuffle playback mode position, wherein in the continuous media playback mode the media assets are to be played back according to a first order, and in the shuffle media playback mode the media assets are to be played back according to a second order, the second order being different than the first order; and wherein in the data mode the controller is operable to effectively allow another device to store media assets in the non-volatile memory when the other device is operatively connected to the portable media player.