iPods were extremely popular that rivaled MP3 devices back in the early 2000s when music streaming was done through portable handheld devices.
Former Apple software engineer, David Shayer, leaks a story from his past employment in the company about assisting in developing a custom fifth-generation "top secret" iPod for a division within the U.S. Department of Energy back in 2005.
David Shayer shared his story on the website, TidBits that primarily focused on his retelling and personal experience from being handed the assignment and making the product.
Shayer's task is to work with two engineers from Bechtel, an American defense contractor who answers the U.S. Department of Energy. The "secret" iPod was only known by four people in the company, was not official, and has no paper trail to trace back to.
The "top secret" fifth-generation iPod was the current model in the line-up in 2005. This model was used by Shayer and the two unidentified men working for Bechtel. The primary goal of the iPod, according to Mac Rumors, is to be a data-recording stealth device that will have the chance to gather as much information without detection or suspicion.
Ex-Apple software Engineer, David Shayer recounts his days working for the company that highlighted his experience in creating a top-secret iPod and iPod O.S. that will function as a data-recording tech.
Everything began from being told by his "boss' boss," then director of iPod Software about a particular task assigned to him. "I have a special assignment for you. Your boss doesn't know about it. You'll help two engineers from the U.S. Department of Energy build a special iPod. Report only to me." as narrated by Shayer.
Setting Up
The U.S. Department of Energy contacted Apple's Senior Vice President of Hardware, which then passed it to the Vice President of the iPod Division, who later moved to the director of iPod Software and Shayer.
Two engineers who looked "normal" came the following day, which Shayer logged on as visitors. Later on, he gave them "vendor badges" to gain access to the building. Shayer set them up in a vacant office, which became the primary location of the project. The two engineers, Paul and Matthew, provided for their tech and computers, together with retail iPods the pair would work on.
Apple's fifth-generation iPod "with video" did not use any signed software for this particular model, and its shell is easy to open without leaving visible marks.
Working on iPod O.S. Software
The two engineers were "tech geniuses" and knew their way around the software. Shayer taught the duo how to install a hidden data-recorder that would not be detected even when plugged in a computer. The next agenda is a start and stop recording that is hidden under plain sight within the menu.
Paul and Matthew were on-and-off in working in the office and the software. The duo finished in months, returned a source code DVD provided for them but took the modified iPod O.S. Software and computers with them. Shayer did not hear from them ever since.
Shayer suspects that the modified iPod is meant to function as a "geiger counter," a device used to detect radioactive emissions, best suited for concealed nuclear devices. The duo wanted the iPod to still function as it is, despite the technology included.
U.S. Department of Energy Project
Shayer reiterated that Apple was not working for the U.S. government, only doing a 'favor.' In 2005, the Department of Energy was given a $24.3 billion budget with DOE stating that $9 billion would be used "to meet defense-related objectives."
The U.S. DoE was primarily focused on providing the country with nuclear weapons, and the proposed $9 billion request is intended to detect and mitigate "weapons of mass destruction."
