A multimedia system capable of being remotely controlled by a wireless telephone comprising: a programmable multimedia controller including a general purpose computer and at least one video output module, the programmable multimedia controller interconnected to and capable of controlling a plurality of devices, including one or more audio/video, lighting, automatic shade or blind, heating ventilation and air conditioning, HVAC, or security devices, to support one or more programmable services related to said plurality of devices; and at least one video display, coupled to said at least one video output module, responsive to said programmable multimedia controller for displaying a plurality of interactive on screen displays, each of said interactive on screen displays being operable by a user to control said one or more programmable services supported by said programmable multimedia controller; characterized by the wireless telephone separate from said at least one video display and said programmable multimedia controller, and which includes a touch-sensitive display and an accelerometer, said touch sensitive display and accelerometer operable by a user to interact with said interactive on screen displays shown on said at least one video display, thereby controlling said one or more programmable services; and a virtual remote server configured to process received information corresponding to user action on said wireless telephone and to determine changes to the interactive on screen display that should be made to reflect user action, said received information corresponding to user action to signify that the accelerometer has detected movement which is mapped to a corresponding change with respect to the interactive on screen display. a programmable multimedia controller including a general purpose computer and at least one video output module, the programmable multimedia controller interconnected to and capable of controlling a plurality of devices, including one or more audio/video, lighting, automatic shade or blind, heating ventilation and air conditioning, HVAC, or security devices, to support one or more programmable services related to said plurality of devices; and at least one video display, coupled to said at least one video output module, responsive to said programmable multimedia controller for displaying a plurality of interactive on screen displays, each of said interactive on screen displays being operable by a user to control said one or more programmable services supported by said programmable multimedia controller; characterized by the wireless telephone separate from said at least one video display and said programmable multimedia controller, and which includes a touch-sensitive display and an accelerometer, said touch sensitive display and accelerometer operable by a user to interact with said interactive on screen displays shown on said at least one video display, thereby controlling said one or more programmable services; and a virtual remote server configured to process received information corresponding to user action on said wireless telephone and to determine changes to the interactive on screen display that should be made to reflect user action, said received information corresponding to user action to signify that the accelerometer has detected movement which is mapped to a corresponding change with respect to the interactive on screen display.