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.