Abstract: A portable device is disclosed for use with an audio or video content provider to establish hands-free control of the available functions of the content provider. The device may include a microphone interface to receive an electric signal from an integral or an externally plugged in microphone which, through use of a processor, may permit digitization of the signals, and comparison to a template of digital signals representing known voice commands that may be transmitted to the content provider. Non-volatile memory utilized in conjunction with the processor enables extended customization capabilities which are retained for later use, even after the device has been powered off. Operation of the device may alternatively occur according to default factory settings, or user programmed custom settings. Customizable features may include user trained voice commands, volume settings, sound effects, voice recognition thresholds, tone settings, and album lists.