Q What is the iTunes Jukebox?

A cartridge-based, jukebox-like physical interface to iTunes. Choose a song, represented by a CD jewel case, place it into the iTunes Jukebox tower and iTunes will play that song. The tower is connected to a computer wirelessly via bluetooth and communicates with Apple's iTunes software. Currently the iTunes jukebox tower holds up to eight cases at once. The jukebox will play each song beginning with the top slot in the CD tower, working down to the bottom. Once the entire set has been played, if there are no new cases in the jukebox, iTunes will go into shuffle mode, playing a random set of songs using the entire iTunes library (or a pre-specified playlist of the user's choosing). When the user places a new case into the tower, the jukebox will exit random mode and play that song.

Q Who would use this?

Anyone who likes using iTunes to DJ parties but doesn't want beer spilled on their $3,000 laptop; a common event when drunken guests attempt to find their favorite song. Also good for those who miss the physicality of a music collection, something that is lost in the age of MP3s.

Q How many different songs can be played through the jukebox?

We've only built and programmed a couple dozen cases so far, but the jukebox is capable of playing as many songs as you have mp3s.The jukebox is software-based which allows additional playback possiblities, including having individual jewel cases that are programmed to represent entire albums, genres or playlists. For example, you could pop in the "relaxation" case when you get home from work, and all your "New Age" songs will play until you pull that case out or put in another.

Q How do I know what song is playing?

Each case contains an LED light that represents its status. Green means the song or set of songs that case represents is currently playing, yellow means it's next up, red means it has already been played and blue means it has not yet been played.