Synchronous media playback and messaging system

A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to provide synchronous media playback and messaging, by:

• transmitting a media playback invite request received from a first terminal to a second terminal, wherein the first terminal is associated with a host user and the second terminal is associated with guest user;
• relaying a media playback accept response from the second terminal to the first terminal;
• and
• distributing a start playback request from the first terminal to the second terminal, wherein the start playback request directs the second terminal to begin a playback session of a media file in synchronization with the first terminal.

A method for synchronous media playback and messaging for a host user, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) sending a media playback invite request to an other terminal in response to a host user initiating an invitation to a guest user, wherein the guest user is associated with the other terminal;
• (b) receiving a media playback accept response from the other terminal in response to step (a);
• and
• (c) sending a start playback request to the other terminal in response to step (b), wherein the start playback request begins a playback session of a media file.

A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to provide synchronous media playback and messaging, by:

• sending a media playback invite request to an other terminal in response to a host user initiating an invitation to a guest user, wherein the guest user is associated with the other terminal;
• receiving a media playback accept response from the other terminal in response to sending the media playback invite request;
• and
• sending a start playback request to the other terminal in response to receiving the media playback accept response, wherein the start playback request begins a playback session of a media file.

A terminal providing synchronous media playback service for a host user, the terminal comprising:

• a services processor;
• a communications interface connected to the services processor in order to support a playback session between the terminal and a second terminal, wherein the second terminal is associated with a guest user;
• a local storage that stores a media file, wherein the media file is associated with the playback session;
• a media player connected to the local storage in order to process the media file during the playback session under control of the services processor;
• a keypad unit connected to the services processor;
• and
• a display unit connected to the keypad unit through the services processor, wherein the display unit provides at least one list of choices that is associated with the playback session and wherein the keypad unit receives selections from the host user.