System and method for playback of media content with audio touch menu functionality

A method for playback of media content, including the use of touch menus, comprising:

• displaying, at a media device having a user interface, a visual array of playlists or media options, wherein each media option is associated with one or more media content items that can be streamed to or played on the media device;
• determining, while a selected point or region is moved within the visual array in response to user input, a selection of a playlist;
• and
• displaying contents of the selected playlist, as a visual array of media options, for further selection and playback.

A device for playback of media content, including the use of touch menus, comprising:

• a media device, including a processor;
• a user interface, provided at the media device, which is adapted to display a visual array of playlists or media options, wherein each media option is associated with one or more media content items that can be streamed to or played at the media device;
• and
• wherein input is received from a user, at the user interface, including a selection of a card element, point or region within the visual array corresponding to a selected media option,
• wherein a selection of card element, point or region within the visual array corresponding to a selected media option, is communicated to a media server, for use by the server in determining one or more media options associated with or proximate to the selected card element, point or region, for use in adjusting playback of those media options,
• wherein streamed media content associated with the one or more media options associated with or proximate to the selected card element, is received from the media server, and
• wherein a visual array of additional media options associated with the selected media options is displayed, wherein each media option in the visual array of additional media options is similarly associated with one or more media content items that can be selected for playing.

A server for use in playback of media content, including the use of touch menus, comprising:

• a computer device, including a processor, and a media server executing thereon;
• a repository of media content items, and samples associated therewith;
• a media application interface configured to receive requests from media devices or other systems, to retrieve media content from the media server;
• and
• wherein input is received from a client computer system or device having a media playback application and user interface which enables display of a visual array of media options,
• wherein each media option is associated with one or more of the media content items, including a selection of a card element, point or region within the visual array corresponding to a selected media option,
• wherein one or more media options associated with or proximate to the selected card element, point or region, are determined, for use in adjusting playback of those media options, and
• wherein media content associated with the one or more media options associated with or proximate to the selected card element, is streamed to the client computer system or device, for use by the client computer system or device in displaying a visual array of additional media options associated with the selected media options.