A wireless network includes a tunable RF transmitter in wireless communication with a master node to transmit at a first slave frequency; a tunable RF receiver in wireless communication with the master node to receive at a second slave frequency; and an RF oscillator to communicate with the RF receiver and the RF transmitter an RF oscillator frequency to determine and tune the first and second slave frequencies. The RF oscillator is configured to receive calibration information including time information or frequency information, or both, from a reference node. The RF oscillator frequency of the RF oscillator is tuned based on the calibration information from slave node and the master node at the tuned RF oscillator the reference node to enable communication between the frequency.

A wireless network includes a tunable RF transmitter in wireless communication with a master node to transmit at a first slave frequency; a tunable RF receiver in wireless communication with the master node to receive at a second slave frequency; and an RF oscillator to communicate with the RF receiver and the RF transmitter an RF oscillator frequency to determine and tune the first and second slave frequencies. The RF oscillator is configured to receive calibration information including time information or frequency information, or both, from a reference node. The RF oscillator frequency of the RF oscillator is tuned based on the calibration information from the reference node to enable communication between the slave node and the master node at the tuned RF oscillator frequency.

A hand-held electronic device having a remote control application user interface that functions to displays operational mode information to a user. The graphical user interface may be used, for example, to setup the remote control application to control appliances for one or more users in one or more rooms, to perform activities, and to access favorites. The remote control application is also adapted to be upgradeable. Furthermore, the remote control application provides for the sharing of operational mode information.

A media entertainment system including an appliance having an electronic data communications interface, a computer processor operatively connected to an auxiliary source module (ASM), the ASM configured to receive control information from the appliance and to send control information, media metadata, and media files or media streams to the appliance. At least one display is operatively connected to the computer processor and configured for displaying media metadata, current time, alarm time, system playback volume levels and alarm volume levels. One or more user interfaces are operatively connected to the computer processor and configured to receive user metadata selections and for receiving user settings for plural media source presets, playback volume settings, time settings, plural alarm settings, and plural alarm volume level settings. Each alarm and associated media source may have its own user selectable specific volume level setting that controls the appliance audio output volume when an alarm is triggered.

A remote controller includes a touch screen, a communicator, and a processor. The processor controls control a first user interface to be displayed on the touch screen, identifies a signal which is received through the communicator while the first user interface is displayed on the touch screen, and controls a second user interface to be displayed on the touch screen based on the received signal. The second user interface performs a function which is different from that of the first user interface.

A hand-held electronic device having a remote control application user interface that functions to displays operational mode information to a user. The graphical user interface may be used, for example, to setup the remote control application to control appliances for one or more users in one or more rooms, to perform activities, and to access favorites. The remote control application is also adapted to be upgradeable. Furthermore, the remote control application provides for the sharing of operational mode information.

A media entertainment system including one or more user interfaces that are configured to receive user metadata selections and for receiving user settings for plural media source presets, playback volume settings, time settings, plural alarm settings, and plural alarm volume level settings. Each alarm and associated media source may have its own user selectable specific volume level setting that controls the appliance audio output volume when an alarm is triggered.

A hand-held electronic device having a remote control application user interface that functions to displays operational mode information to a user. The graphical user interface may be used, for example, to setup the remote control application to control appliances for one or more users in one or more rooms, to perform activities, and to access favorites. The remote control application is also adapted to be upgradeable. Furthermore, the remote control application provides for the sharing of operational mode information.

A wireless network includes a tunable RF transmitter in wireless communication with a master node to transmit at a first slave frequency; a tunable RF receiver in wireless communication with the master node to receive at a second slave frequency; and an RF oscillator to communicate with the RF receiver and the RF transmitter an RF oscillator frequency to determine and tune the first and second slave frequencies. The RF oscillator is configured to receive calibration information including time information or frequency information, or both, from a reference node. The RF oscillator frequency of the RF oscillator is tuned based on the calibration information from the reference node to enable communication between the slave node and the master node at the tuned RF oscillator frequency.

When a command key of a controlling platform is activated, the platform performs an operation to initiate a playing of media content and also initiates the retrieval of information from an information source.