Only shuffle for you

The shuffle all button in iTunes

A confusing UI element in Apple’s iTunes.

  • Clicking the button will result in an action that works as advertised, it shuffles the playlist. This button includes 2 other actions as well which may lead to confusion for many. It also plays the song list, without any indication that this is an included action. The other action is skip. While the list is playing clicking the button again will result in the player skipping the currently playing song.
  • There is no indication that the shuffle function is active and no way to turn it off (no stop), except by going into a nested action inside the menu bar.

These little details matter when delivering a coherent user experience.