Abstract: An unitary electronic speaker device and method for rendering digital audio data are provided. A list comprising an ordered sequence of audio item indicators indicating a plurality of audio items stored on at least one other device. is received in an embodiment. In one embodiment, the unitary electronic speaker device does not have any storage space other than the memory, and uses the hard disk embodied in at least one other device to supply the digital audio data. The audio data is received and rendered at the unitary electronic speaker device in according to the sequence defined by the list. Any number of the unitary electronic speaker devices may be connected in a network with the at least one other device. In one embodiment a plurality of unitary electronic speaker devices are connected through a LAN using Ethernet.

Abstract: A playlist is received at a television from a remote playlist source coupled to the television over a network. The playlist includes at least one video item identifier that identifies at least one video item. The playlist is communicated from the television to a cellular phone coupled to the television over the network. The at least one video item identifier is received at the television from the cellular phone. The at least one video item is rendered by the television. The television, the cellular phone, and the remote playlist source are all separate devices. The at least one video item identifier identifies at least one video item having been played during a time duration selected from the group consisting of today, a past week, a past month, and a past year.

Abstract: A method for playing music, the method includes providing a plurality of devices on a wireless local area network, bringing a new device into a range of the wireless local area network, and receiving a list of devices that are on the local area network at the new device from a server not on the local area network.

Abstract: A playlist is received, based on information identifying a user-association to the playlist at a remote playlist source, at a media player device from the remote playlist source coupled to the media player device over an Internet network connection, the playlist comprising a plurality of item identifiers identifying a corresponding plurality of items. The playlist is communicated from the media player device to a wireless handheld remote control coupled to the media player device over a LAN connection using the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). At least one item identifier is received from the wireless handheld remote control. At least one item corresponding to the at least one item identifier is rendered by the media player device. The media player device, the wireless handheld remote control, and the remote playlist source are all separate devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for playing media includes a network transceiver for communicating with a remote control device and a server. The apparatus provides a device identifier to the remote control device, receives a playlist from the device, sends a media item identifier to a server, and receives a media item from the server. In some embodiments the apparatus is a standalone speaker device, the remote control is a touchscreen cellular phone, and the media item is an audio item. In other embodiments the apparatus is a television. In some embodiments the server comprises a playlist server and a content server. After joining a local network, the remote control is operable to control the apparatus without direct input at the device. In some embodiments the apparatus receives the media item from the content server. In other embodiments the media item flows through the remote control.

Abstract: A media player device and method for receiving and playing a playlist is provided. The device has a transceiver to wirelessly send and receive communication, a memory, a control system connected to the memory and the transceiver, and at least one speaker to play the plurality of songs. The control system and method receive a command to log into an account before receiving a playlist, receive and display the playlist identifying a plurality of songs in a menu with context sensitive icons representing different functions, receive and display information associated with an artist from a currently playing song of the plurality of songs in the playlist, receive and display information on a related song that is from a genre similar to that of one of the currently playing song, and receive and display advertising. The method provides for the speaker to play the plurality of songs.

Abstract: An electronic device and method for sourcing and/or constructing a playlist are provided. An assignment of a playlist identifying a plurality of songs is received. A plurality of devices from which the plurality of songs may be retrieved is determined. The availability of the plurality of devices is determined. At least one of the plurality of devices is connected to in order to to access at least one of the plurality of songs. Memory of the electronic device can be scanned for stored songs to incorporate into the playlist.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are presented for facilitating a presentation of media, including displaying, on a touchscreen of a mobile phone, a plurality of device identifiers; receiving input identifying one of the plurality of device identifiers that identifies a rendering device; providing information identifying a user of the mobile phone; receiving a message based on the information identifying the user of the mobile phone, the message comprising information identifying a playlist comprising a plurality of media item identifiers corresponding to media items ordered to be played in an arranged sequence; receiving, at the mobile phone, input identifying at least one media item identifier from the playlist; and directing, from the mobile phone, the rendering device to obtain a media item identified by the at least one media item identifier from a content server and to play the media item, the media item obtained without user input at the rendering device.

Abstract: A network-enabled audio device that provides a display device that allows the user to select playlists of music much like a jukebox is disclosed. The user can compose playlists from disk files, CD's, Internet streaming audio broadcasts, online music sites, and other audio sources. The user can also select a desired Web broadcast from a list of available Web broadcasts. In addition, the user can play standard audio CD's and MP3 encoded CD's and have access to local AM/FM stations. Further, the software, the user controls, and the display in the network-enabled audio device are operably configured and connected such that the user can listen to playlists that include CD's and other audio sources just as the user would choose a playlist in a jukebox. The user accesses a server site via a PC and the Internet. From the server site, the user obtains a list of the devices in his or her Internet Personal Audio Network (IPAN) and what songs are on those devices.

Abstract: An unitary electronic speaker device and system for rendering a playlist are provided. An assignment of a playlist identifying a plurality of songs is received from a home personal computer. In one embodiment, the unitary electronic speaker device does not have any storage space other than the memory, and uses the hard disk embodied in the home personal computer to supply the songs. The songs are received and rendered at the unitary electronic speaker device in an order defined by the playlist. Any number of the unitary electronic speaker devices may be connected in a network with the home personal computer. In one embodiment a plurality of unitary electronic speaker devices are connected through a LAN using Ethernet.

Abstract: A device for receiving an Internet radio broadcast is provided. The device comprises a communication interface, at least one input control mounted on the device. a display, and at least one processor in communication with the communication interface, the at least one input control, and the display, and memory containing software executable by the at least one processor.

Abstract: A method of playing preselected content by a processor-based communications device includes receiving an Internet radio broadcast from a personal radio server system, pre-selecting audio elements, storing the pre-selected audio elements, and playing the stored pre-selected audio elements by the processor-based communications device.

Abstract: A method for playing music, the method includes providing a plurality of devices on a wireless local area network, bringing a new device into a range of the wireless local area network, and receiving a list of devices that are on the local area network at the new device from a server not on the local area network.

Abstract: A network-enabled audio device that provides a display device that allows the user to select playlists of music much like a jukebox is disclosed. The user can compose playlists from disk files, CD's, Internet streaming audio broadcasts, online music sites, and other audio sources. The user can also select a desired Web broadcast from a list of available Web broadcasts. In addition, the user can play standard audio CD's and MP3 encoded CD's and have access to local AM/FM stations. Further, the software, the user controls, and the display in the network-enabled audio device are operably configured and connected such that the user can listen to playlists that include CD's and other audio sources just as the user would choose a playlist in a jukebox. The user accesses a server site via a PC and the Internet. From the server site, the user obtains a list of the devices in his or her Internet Personal Audio Network (IPAN) and what songs are on those devices.

Abstract: A network-enabled audio device that provides a display device that allows the user to select playlists of music much like a jukebox is disclosed. The user can compose playlists from disk files, CD's, Internet streaming audio broadcasts, online music sites, and other audio sources. The user can also select a desired Web broadcast from a list of available Web broadcasts. In addition, the user can play standard audio CD's and MP3 encoded CD's and have access to local AM/FM stations. Further, the software, the user controls, and the display in the network-enabled audio device are operably configured and connected such that the user can listen to playlists that include CD's and other audio sources just as the user would choose a playlist in a jukebox.

Abstract: A network-enabled audio device that provides a display device that allows the user to select playlists of music much like a jukebox is disclosed. The user can compose playlists from disk files, CD's, Internet streaming audio broadcasts, online music sites, and other audio sources. The user can also select a desired Web broadcast from a list of available Web broadcasts. In addition, the user can play standard audio CD's and MP3 encoded CD's and have access to local AM/FM stations. Further, the software, the user controls, and the display in the network-enabled audio device are operably configured and connected such that the user can listen to playlists that include CD's and other audio sources just as the user would choose a playlist in a jukebox.

Abstract: A personal broadcast server system provides a customized broadcast to one or more users over a transmission media. A data storage device stores a plurality of broadcast elements. A data management system stores a user profile and a user state for each of the one or more users and also stores information associated with each of the plurality of broadcast elements. A broadcast element selector, having at least one broadcast element selector function, selects broadcast elements from the data storage device based on information contained in the data management system. A broadcast server receives the selected broadcast elements from the data storage device and provides the selected broadcast elements to a user over the transmission media. The personal broadcast server system may provide streaming audio, streaming video, or other forms of broadcast signals.

Abstract: A system for sharing playlists utilizes a network, such as the Internet. A player device other than a general purpose computer, such as a dedicated media player or a remote control for a dedicated media player, is in communication with the server over the network. The player device is configured to receive a playlist, queue the playlist, display the playlist, and play a selection from the playlist. A user profile may be used to identify playlists that are likely to contain selections of interest to the user.

Abstract: A method for playing music includes displaying a list of playlists names, selecting one of the displayed playlists names, sending at least one attribute of a playlist corresponding to the selected playlist name to a playlist server, receiving a playlist from the playlist server wherein the received playlist corresponds to the attribute(s), selecting at least one song from the received playlist, sending information representative of the selected song to a content server, receiving the selected song from the content server, and playing the selected song(s). Requesting a playlist on the first device based on attributes, sending the same attributes to a second device having the second device request the playlist and start playing.