A computing apparatus, the computing apparatus comprising: a processor; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, configure the apparatus to: identify a plurality of media applications configured to operate at the computing apparatus; access metadata and playback information for each media application of the plurality of media applications; generate a unified graphical user interface for the plurality of media applications, the unified graphical user interface providing media information and control access for each corresponding media application; characterised in that access metadata and playback information further comprises: register one of the plurality of media applications with a media API of an operating system operating at the computing apparatus to access metadata and playback control for the registered media application; integrate the metadata and playback control with the unified graphical user interface, the media information being based on the metadata, the control access being based on the playback control; and analyze the registration with a filter that is configured to determine whether an icon originating from the registered media application is associated with the metadata or the playback control. a processor; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, configure the apparatus to: identify a plurality of media applications configured to operate at the computing apparatus; access metadata and playback information for each media application of the plurality of media applications; generate a unified graphical user interface for the plurality of media applications, the unified graphical user interface providing media information and control access for each corresponding media application; characterised in that access metadata and playback information further comprises: register one of the plurality of media applications with a media API of an operating system operating at the computing apparatus to access metadata and playback control for the registered media application; integrate the metadata and playback control with the unified graphical user interface, the media information being based on the metadata, the control access being based on the playback control; and analyze the registration with a filter that is configured to determine whether an icon originating from the registered media application is associated with the metadata or the playback control. identify a plurality of media applications configured to operate at the computing apparatus; access metadata and playback information for each media application of the plurality of media applications; generate a unified graphical user interface for the plurality of media applications, the unified graphical user interface providing media information and control access for each corresponding media application; characterised in that access metadata and playback information further comprises: register one of the plurality of media applications with a media API of an operating system operating at the computing apparatus to access metadata and playback control for the registered media application; integrate the metadata and playback control with the unified graphical user interface, the media information being based on the metadata, the control access being based on the playback control; and analyze the registration with a filter that is configured to determine whether an icon originating from the registered media application is associated with the metadata or the playback control. register one of the plurality of media applications with a media API of an operating system operating at the computing apparatus to access metadata and playback control for the registered media application; integrate the metadata and playback control with the unified graphical user interface, the media information being based on the metadata, the control access being based on the playback control; and analyze the registration with a filter that is configured to determine whether an icon originating from the registered media application is associated with the metadata or the playback control.