16. A method, implemented by one or more computing devices, the method comprising: receiving a message provided by a particular user; determining whether the message provided by the particular user contains an equipment control command directed to equipment in a local setting or contains a selection control command; where the message is determined to contain the selection control command, sending the message as an input query to a search system, with instruction that the search system is to perform a domain-specific search for a target media item to be played on the equipment; and where the message is determined to contain the equipment control command, outputting control information that describes the equipment control command for use in controlling the equipment in the local setting.
16. A method, implemented by one or more computing devices, the method comprising: receiving a message provided by a particular user; determining whether the message provided by the particular user contains an equipment control command directed to equipment in a local setting or contains a selection control command; where the message is determined to contain the selection control command, sending the message as an input query to a search system, with instruction that the search system is to perform a domain-specific search for a target media item to be played on the equipment; and where the message is determined to contain the equipment control command, outputting control information that describes the equipment control command for use in controlling the equipment in the local setting. 20. The method of claim 16 , further comprising: identifying the target media item specified by the selection control command, wherein the domain-specific search accesses a curated media-specific corpus that includes the target media item; receiving the target media item from the curated media-specific corpus; and causing the equipment in the local setting to play the target media item.