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 .