Handheld electronic devices with remote control functionality and gesture recognition

An electronic device configured to remotely control a media system, the electronic device comprising:

• a touch screen that is configured to receive remote control finger gestures;
• processing circuitry that generates remote control command information based on the gestures;
• and
• wireless communications circuitry that transmits the remote control command information to the media system, wherein the wireless communications circuitry is configured to receive status information from the media system in response to the remote control command information.

A method of wirelessly controlling a media system using an electronic device, the method comprising:

• with a touch screen in the electronic device, receiving remote control finger gestures;
• and
• with wireless communications circuitry in the electronic device, transmitting media system remote control command information to the media system based on the gestures, wherein transmitting the media system remote control command information comprises:
• in response to a swipe gesture, transmitting media system remote control command information that directs the media system to adjust a playback volume.