Highly portable media device

A method for playing a plurality of media assets by a media asset player, comprising:

• playing a first media asset by the media asset player, the media asset player configured to operate in accordance with a first playback mode, the first media asset being a member of a first playlist, the first playlist being in accordance with the first playback mode;
• receiving a first command to change the operation of the media asset player from the first playback mode to a second playback mode different from the first playback mode;
• continuing to play the first media asset by the media asset player in accordance with the first playback mode;
• and
• operating the media asset player in accordance with the second playback mode only after playback of the first media asset is complete.

A media asset player, comprising:

• a mode switch for changing playback modes of the media asset player comprising a continuous mode position and a shuffle mode position;
• a persistent storage device configured to store a plurality of media assets, a continuous playlist and at least a first shuffle playlist;
• an audio circuit configured to output audio signals associated with the stored plurality of media assets;
• and
• a processor configured to playback the plurality of media assets in an order defined by one of the plurality of stored playlists,
• wherein upon receipt of a command to change from one mode to another during playback of a first media asset, the requested change in mode does not affect media playback until after completion of the first media asset.

A non-transient computer readable medium for storing computer code executable by a processor, comprising:

• computer code for playing a first media asset by a media asset player, the first media asset being a member of a first playlist, the first playlist being in accordance with a continuous playback mode;
• computer code for receiving a first command to change a playback mode of the media asset player from the continuous playback mode to a shuffle playback mode;
• computer code for continuing to play the first media asset by the media asset player;
• and
• computer code for playing a second media asset only once the first media asset has finished playing, wherein the second media asset is a member of a second playlist, the second media asset following the first media asset on the second playlist, and wherein the second playlist is a randomized version of the first playlist.