Interactive and dynamic screen saver for use in a media system

A screen saver mode for use in an electronic device, the screen saver mode comprising:

• displaying a background screen comprising only a plurality of overlaid album art images each associated with at least one media item;
• detecting a user selection of a particular album art image;
• displaying at least one media listing for the at least one media item associated with the selected particular album art image in response to detecting;
• receiving a user selection of the at least one listing;
• and
• playing back the media item of the selected at least one listing while remaining in the screen saver mode in response to receiving.

An electronic device for displaying an interactive screen saver, the electronic device comprising a processor operative to:

• enable a screen saver mode;
• provide an output signal representing a plurality of images automatically moving across the display;
• provide an output signal representing a cursor on the screen controlled by providing inputs using a wand coupled to the electronic device;
• receive a first input from the wand;
• provide an output signal displacing the displayed cursor over a particular one of the plurality of images in response to receiving the first input;
• receive a second input from the wand;
• and
• play back a media item associated with the particular one of the plurality of images without disabling the screen saver mode in response to receiving the second input.

A method for selecting a plurality of media items available for playback by a screen saver, comprising:

• receiving a selection of a plurality of media items;
• identifying album art associated with each of the plurality of media items;
• and
• displaying the identified album art in a screen saver mode, wherein the user selects a particular identified album art to select a media item for playback while maintaining the screen saver mode enabled.