In 2005, according to former Apple software developer David Shayer, he was tasked by the director of iPod software to “help two engineers at the US Department of Energy build a custom iPod.” In fact, the engineers were employees of Bechtel, a major US defense contractor. Only four people at Apple knew about the project. No documentary evidence remained, since all contacts were made personally.

Scheyer oversaw any assistance from Apple to the DOE. The contractors were given an office at the Apple headquarters, where they spent months learning to modify an early version of the iPod operating system. With the help of changes in the software and the addition of special equipment, the player was supposed to turn into a device for hidden data recording. At the same time, the gadget had to look and work like a regular iPod.

The fifth-generation iPod was chosen for the modification because it had an easily disassembled case and a 60 GB hard drive. In addition, it was the last iPod with a non-digitally signed operating system, making software changes easier.

Scheyer has never seen what additional equipment was installed in the iPod, but believes that the player was made “a hidden Geiger counter.” Such a device could be used to conduct covert operations to collect evidence of radioactivity.

The Department of Energy is responsible for US nuclear weapons and nuclear power programs. In 2005, the agency’s budget was $ 24.3 billion, of which $ 9 billion was intended for the needs of the nuclear deterrent program.