The rewind and fast forward buttons on iTunes

Isn't it for next track / previous track?

Useful if you have shuffle on and want to see what's been played or skip a track...

yeah, maybe i misunderstand the question too...the buttons are for previous/next track, right? there is that button you can drag to FF or back up on the track that's playing, however. i believe the ipod also has a button that allows you to jump back 30 seconds in a track, useful if you want to re-hear something on a spokenword podcast.