iPhone: Quick iPod Shortcut/Music Controls

I have come across a little nifty shortcut on the iPhone that allows almost immediate access to the music controls. Almost everyone knows by now that the home button can be configured with different functions when double "clicking" on it. However, the same button seems to double as a shortcut for music controls, whenever the iPod application is running (actually, also when it does not).

I have configured my home button to go to Contacts tab whenever I am in in another application. Interestingly enough, however, if I double hit Home when I am at the Home screen, while there is music playing in the background, you'll get a little window with Previous/Pause/Next buttons.

Even better, the same little window with music controls appears also when double hitting Home while at the Lock screen! That's big.. at least for me.. because it means i don't have to slide and unlock and change to iPod in order to control the music (for when you are in the car for example and need to keep your eyes on the road ;)).

Now, if music is not playing and music (iPod) application is closed and you are at the lock screen, you can still double hit Home and get access to music controls and start playing the music! That again is big :).

To illustrate everything, here are some screenshots of what I've been describing:


At the lock screen with music application not running


At the Home screen with music playing


At the Lock screen with music playing and iPhone charging


At the Lock screen with music playing and iPhone not charging