diff --git a/src/CMakeLists.txt b/src/CMakeLists.txt
index a8c6087fc..d0973acea 100644
--- a/src/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -607,6 +607,12 @@ if(HAVE_DBUS)
       dbus/org.freedesktop.Notifications.xml
       dbus/notification)
 
+  # org.gnome.SettingsDaemon interface
+  qt4_add_dbus_interface(SOURCES
+      dbus/org.gnome.SettingsDaemon.MediaKeys.xml
+      dbus/gnomesettingsdaemon)
+
+
   # DeviceKit DBUS interfaces
   if(HAVE_DEVICEKIT)
     qt4_add_dbus_interface(SOURCES
@@ -785,6 +791,7 @@ if(HAVE_REMOTE)
 
   if(HAVE_DBUS)
     list(APPEND SOURCES remote/avahi.cpp)
+    list(APPEND HEADERS remote/avahi.h)
   endif(HAVE_DBUS)
 endif(HAVE_REMOTE)
 
diff --git a/src/core/globalshortcutbackend.cpp b/src/core/globalshortcutbackend.cpp
index bb3770299..d6ad42aed 100644
--- a/src/core/globalshortcutbackend.cpp
+++ b/src/core/globalshortcutbackend.cpp
@@ -25,56 +25,18 @@
 GlobalShortcutBackend::GlobalShortcutBackend(GlobalShortcuts *parent)
   : QObject(parent),
     manager_(parent),
-    active_(false),
-    register_in_progress_(false),
-    should_unregister_(false)
+    active_(false)
 {
 }
 
-void GlobalShortcutBackend::Register() {
-  if (register_in_progress_) {
-    should_unregister_ = false;
-    return;
-  }
-
-  if (RegisterInNewThread()) {
-    register_in_progress_ = true;
-    QFuture<bool> future = QtConcurrent::run(this, &GlobalShortcutBackend::DoRegister);
-
-    QFutureWatcher<bool>* watcher = new QFutureWatcher<bool>(this);
-    watcher->setFuture(future);
-    connect(watcher, SIGNAL(finished()), SLOT(RegisterFinishedSlot()));
-  } else {
-    bool ret = DoRegister();
-    if (ret)
-      active_ = true;
-    emit RegisterFinished(ret);
-  }
+bool GlobalShortcutBackend::Register() {
+  bool ret = DoRegister();
+  if (ret)
+    active_ = true;
+  return ret;
 }
 
 void GlobalShortcutBackend::Unregister() {
-  if (register_in_progress_) {
-    should_unregister_ = true;
-    return;
-  }
-
   DoUnregister();
   active_ = false;
 }
-
-void GlobalShortcutBackend::RegisterFinishedSlot() {
-  QFutureWatcher<bool>* watcher = dynamic_cast<QFutureWatcher<bool>*>(sender());
-  const bool success = watcher->result();
-  watcher->deleteLater();
-
-  register_in_progress_ = false;
-  if (success)
-    active_ = true;
-
-  if (should_unregister_) {
-    Unregister();
-    should_unregister_ = false;
-  } else {
-    emit RegisterFinished(success);
-  }
-}
diff --git a/src/core/globalshortcutbackend.h b/src/core/globalshortcutbackend.h
index 3dd88dc52..5666dca17 100644
--- a/src/core/globalshortcutbackend.h
+++ b/src/core/globalshortcutbackend.h
@@ -31,26 +31,18 @@ public:
 
   bool is_active() const { return active_; }
 
-  void Register();
+  bool Register();
   void Unregister();
 
 signals:
   void RegisterFinished(bool success);
 
 protected:
-  virtual bool RegisterInNewThread() const { return false; }
   virtual bool DoRegister() = 0;
   virtual void DoUnregister() = 0;
 
   GlobalShortcuts* manager_;
   bool active_;
-
-private slots:
-  void RegisterFinishedSlot();
-
-private:
-  bool register_in_progress_;
-  bool should_unregister_;
 };
 
 #endif // GLOBALSHORTCUTBACKEND_H
diff --git a/src/core/globalshortcuts.cpp b/src/core/globalshortcuts.cpp
index 04ad6a774..f971d3c38 100644
--- a/src/core/globalshortcuts.cpp
+++ b/src/core/globalshortcuts.cpp
@@ -75,9 +75,6 @@ GlobalShortcuts::GlobalShortcuts(QObject *parent)
   system_backend_ = new MacGlobalShortcutBackend(this);
 #endif
 
-  connect(gnome_backend_, SIGNAL(RegisterFinished(bool)), SLOT(RegisterFinished(bool)));
-  connect(system_backend_, SIGNAL(RegisterFinished(bool)), SLOT(RegisterFinished(bool)));
-
   ReloadSettings();
 }
 
@@ -136,18 +133,9 @@ void GlobalShortcuts::Unregister() {
 }
 
 void GlobalShortcuts::Register() {
-  if (use_gnome_)
-    gnome_backend_->Register();
-  else
-    system_backend_->Register();
-}
-
-void GlobalShortcuts::RegisterFinished(bool success) {
-  GlobalShortcutBackend* backend = qobject_cast<GlobalShortcutBackend*>(sender());
-
-  if (backend == gnome_backend_ && !success) {
-    system_backend_->Register();
-  }
+  if (use_gnome_ && gnome_backend_->Register())
+    return;
+  system_backend_->Register();
 }
 
 bool GlobalShortcuts::IsMacAccessibilityEnabled() const {
diff --git a/src/core/globalshortcuts.h b/src/core/globalshortcuts.h
index bb53f280d..41bc0d490 100644
--- a/src/core/globalshortcuts.h
+++ b/src/core/globalshortcuts.h
@@ -77,9 +77,6 @@ private:
                          int rating, const QKeySequence& default_key = QKeySequence(0));
   Shortcut AddShortcut(const QString& id, const QString& name, const QKeySequence& default_key);
 
-private slots:
-  void RegisterFinished(bool success);
-
 private:
   GlobalShortcutBackend* gnome_backend_;
   GlobalShortcutBackend* system_backend_;
diff --git a/src/core/gnomeglobalshortcutbackend.cpp b/src/core/gnomeglobalshortcutbackend.cpp
index 7496cfc22..df64bca19 100644
--- a/src/core/gnomeglobalshortcutbackend.cpp
+++ b/src/core/gnomeglobalshortcutbackend.cpp
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 
 #include "gnomeglobalshortcutbackend.h"
 #include "globalshortcuts.h"
+#include "dbus/gnomesettingsdaemon.h"
 
 #include <QAction>
 #include <QtDebug>
@@ -45,10 +46,8 @@ bool GnomeGlobalShortcutBackend::DoRegister() {
   }
 
   if (!interface_) {
-    interface_ = new QDBusInterface(
-        kGsdService, kGsdPath, kGsdInterface, QDBusConnection::sessionBus());
-    interface_->moveToThread(thread());
-    interface_->setParent(this);
+    interface_ = new OrgGnomeSettingsDaemonMediaKeysInterface(
+        kGsdService, kGsdPath, QDBusConnection::sessionBus(), this);
   }
 
   connect(interface_, SIGNAL(MediaPlayerKeyPressed(QString,QString)),
diff --git a/src/core/gnomeglobalshortcutbackend.h b/src/core/gnomeglobalshortcutbackend.h
index c9ca93b41..8b7e33153 100644
--- a/src/core/gnomeglobalshortcutbackend.h
+++ b/src/core/gnomeglobalshortcutbackend.h
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 
 #include "globalshortcutbackend.h"
 
-class QDBusInterface;
+class OrgGnomeSettingsDaemonMediaKeysInterface;
 
 class GnomeGlobalShortcutBackend : public GlobalShortcutBackend {
   Q_OBJECT
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ private slots:
   void GnomeMediaKeyPressed(const QString& application, const QString& key);
 
 private:
-  QDBusInterface* interface_;
+  OrgGnomeSettingsDaemonMediaKeysInterface* interface_;
 };
 
 #endif // GNOMEGLOBALSHORTCUTBACKEND_H
diff --git a/src/core/mpris.cpp b/src/core/mpris.cpp
index ae169fbc2..4511aea68 100644
--- a/src/core/mpris.cpp
+++ b/src/core/mpris.cpp
@@ -27,41 +27,10 @@ namespace mpris {
 
 Mpris::Mpris(Player* player, ArtLoader* art_loader, QObject* parent)
   : QObject(parent),
-    player_(player),
-    art_loader_(art_loader),
-    mpris1_(NULL),
-    mpris2_(NULL)
+    mpris1_(new mpris::Mpris1(player, art_loader, this)),
+    mpris2_(new mpris::Mpris2(player, art_loader, mpris1_, this))
 {
-  qDebug() << __PRETTY_FUNCTION__;
-
-  QFuture<void> future = QtConcurrent::run(this, &Mpris::Init);
-
-  QFutureWatcher<void>* watcher = new QFutureWatcher<void>(this);
-  watcher->setFuture(future);
-
-  connect(watcher, SIGNAL(finished()), SLOT(Initialised()));
-}
-
-void Mpris::Init() {
-  qDebug() << __PRETTY_FUNCTION__ << "- starting";
-  qDebug() << __PRETTY_FUNCTION__ << "- registering MPRIS1";
-  mpris1_ = new mpris::Mpris1(player_, art_loader_);
-  qDebug() << __PRETTY_FUNCTION__ << "- registering MPRIS2";
-  mpris2_ = new mpris::Mpris2(player_, art_loader_, mpris1_);
-
-  mpris1_->moveToThread(thread());
-  mpris2_->moveToThread(thread());
-
-  mpris1_->setParent(this);
-  mpris2_->setParent(this);
-
   connect(mpris2_, SIGNAL(RaiseMainWindow()), SIGNAL(RaiseMainWindow()));
-
-  qDebug() << __PRETTY_FUNCTION__ << "- complete";
-}
-
-void Mpris::Initialised() {
-  qDebug() << __PRETTY_FUNCTION__;
   mpris2_->InitLibIndicate();
 }
 
diff --git a/src/core/mpris.h b/src/core/mpris.h
index a33091fe8..153a2e606 100644
--- a/src/core/mpris.h
+++ b/src/core/mpris.h
@@ -37,16 +37,7 @@ public:
 signals:
   void RaiseMainWindow();
 
-private slots:
-  void Initialised();
-
 private:
-  void Init();
-
-private:
-  Player* player_;
-  ArtLoader* art_loader_;
-
   Mpris1* mpris1_;
   Mpris2* mpris2_;
 };
diff --git a/src/dbus/org.gnome.SettingsDaemon.MediaKeys.xml b/src/dbus/org.gnome.SettingsDaemon.MediaKeys.xml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ba9b084c6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/dbus/org.gnome.SettingsDaemon.MediaKeys.xml
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+<!DOCTYPE node PUBLIC "-//freedesktop//DTD D-BUS Object Introspection 1.0//EN"
+"http://www.freedesktop.org/standards/dbus/1.0/introspect.dtd">
+<node>
+  <interface name="org.gnome.SettingsDaemon.MediaKeys">
+    <method name="ReleaseMediaPlayerKeys">
+      <arg name="application" type="s" direction="in"/>
+    </method>
+    <method name="GrabMediaPlayerKeys">
+      <arg name="application" type="s" direction="in"/>
+      <arg name="time" type="u" direction="in"/>
+    </method>
+    <signal name="MediaPlayerKeyPressed">
+      <arg type="s"/>
+      <arg type="s"/>
+    </signal>
+  </interface>
+</node>
+"
diff --git a/src/main.cpp b/src/main.cpp
index 628b4b73f..45ef46c4f 100644
--- a/src/main.cpp
+++ b/src/main.cpp
@@ -313,9 +313,6 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
   qDBusRegisterMetaType<TrackIds>();
   qDBusRegisterMetaType<QList<QByteArray> >();
 
-  // Create the session bus here so it's sure to live in the main thread.
-  QDBusConnection::sessionBus();
-
   mpris::ArtLoader art_loader;
   mpris::Mpris mpris(&player, &art_loader);
 
@@ -325,10 +322,6 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
 #endif
 
 #ifdef HAVE_REMOTE
-  #ifdef HAVE_DBUS
-    // Create the system bus here so it's sure to live in the main thread.
-    QDBusConnection::systemBus();
-  #endif
   Zeroconf* zeroconf = Zeroconf::GetZeroconf();
   if (zeroconf) {
     HttpServer* server = new HttpServer(&player);
diff --git a/src/remote/avahi.cpp b/src/remote/avahi.cpp
index fd47e2cfe..d86c2e8d5 100644
--- a/src/remote/avahi.cpp
+++ b/src/remote/avahi.cpp
@@ -2,47 +2,94 @@
 
 #include <QDBusConnection>
 #include <QHostInfo>
-#include <QtConcurrentRun>
 
 #include <QtDebug>
 
 #include "dbus/avahientrygroup.h"
 #include "dbus/avahiserver.h"
 
-void Avahi::Publish(
-    const QString& domain, const QString& type, const QString& name, quint16 port) {
-  QtConcurrent::run(Avahi::SyncPublish, domain, type, name, port);
+Avahi::Avahi()
+  : server_(NULL),
+    entry_group_(NULL)
+{
 }
 
-void Avahi::SyncPublish(const QString& domain, const QString& type, const QString& name, quint16 port) {
-  OrgFreedesktopAvahiServerInterface server_interface(
+void Avahi::Publish(const QString& domain,
+                    const QString& type,
+                    const QString& name,
+                    quint16 port) {
+  if (server_) {
+    // Already published
+    return;
+  }
+
+  domain_ = domain;
+  type_ = type;
+  name_ = name;
+  port_ = port;
+
+  server_ = new OrgFreedesktopAvahiServerInterface(
       "org.freedesktop.Avahi",
       "/",
-      QDBusConnection::systemBus());
+      QDBusConnection::systemBus(),
+      this);
 
-  QDBusPendingReply<QDBusObjectPath> reply = server_interface.EntryGroupNew();
-  reply.waitForFinished();
+  QDBusPendingReply<QDBusObjectPath> reply = server_->EntryGroupNew();
+  QDBusPendingCallWatcher* watcher = new QDBusPendingCallWatcher(reply);
+  connect(watcher, SIGNAL(finished(QDBusPendingCallWatcher*)),
+          SLOT(EntryGroupNewFinished(QDBusPendingCallWatcher*)));
+}
 
-  OrgFreedesktopAvahiEntryGroupInterface entry_group_interface(
+void Avahi::EntryGroupNewFinished(QDBusPendingCallWatcher* call) {
+  call->deleteLater();
+  QDBusPendingReply<QDBusObjectPath> reply = *call;
+
+  if (reply.isError()) {
+    qWarning() << "Failed to create new Avahi entry group:" << call->error();
+    return;
+  }
+
+  entry_group_ = new OrgFreedesktopAvahiEntryGroupInterface(
       "org.freedesktop.Avahi",
       reply.value().path(),
-      QDBusConnection::systemBus());
+      QDBusConnection::systemBus(),
+      this);
 
-  QDBusPendingReply<> add_reply = entry_group_interface.AddService(
+  QDBusPendingReply<> add_reply = entry_group_->AddService(
       -1,                         // Interface (Unspecified, ie. all interfaces)
       -1,                         // Protocol (Unspecified, ie. IPv4 & IPv6)
       0,                          // Flags
-      name,                       // Service name
-      type,                       // Service type
-      domain,                     // Domain, ie. local
+      name_,                      // Service name
+      type_,                      // Service type
+      domain_,                    // Domain, ie. local
       QString::null,              // Hostname (Avahi fills it if it's null)
-      port,                       // Port
+      port_,                      // Port
       QList<QByteArray>());       // TXT record
-  add_reply.waitForFinished();
+  QDBusPendingCallWatcher* watcher = new QDBusPendingCallWatcher(add_reply);
+  connect(watcher, SIGNAL(finished(QDBusPendingCallWatcher*)),
+          SLOT(AddServiceFinished(QDBusPendingCallWatcher*)));
+}
 
-  QDBusPendingReply<> commit_reply = entry_group_interface.Commit();
-  commit_reply.waitForFinished();
-  if (commit_reply.isValid()) {
+void Avahi::AddServiceFinished(QDBusPendingCallWatcher* call) {
+  call->deleteLater();
+
+  if (call->isError()) {
+    qWarning() << "Failed to add Avahi service:" << call->error();
+    return;
+  }
+
+  QDBusPendingReply<> commit_reply = entry_group_->Commit();
+  QDBusPendingCallWatcher* watcher = new QDBusPendingCallWatcher(commit_reply);
+  connect(watcher, SIGNAL(finished(QDBusPendingCallWatcher*)),
+          SLOT(CommitFinished(QDBusPendingCallWatcher*)));
+}
+
+void Avahi::CommitFinished(QDBusPendingCallWatcher* call) {
+  call->deleteLater();
+
+  if (call->isError()) {
     qDebug() << "Remote interface published on Avahi";
+  } else {
+    qWarning() << "Failed to commit Avahi changes:" << call->error();
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/remote/avahi.h b/src/remote/avahi.h
index ac31e2814..1496a98c2 100644
--- a/src/remote/avahi.h
+++ b/src/remote/avahi.h
@@ -3,13 +3,37 @@
 
 #include "zeroconf.h"
 
-class Avahi : public Zeroconf {
- public:
-  virtual void Publish(
-      const QString& domain, const QString& type, const QString& name, quint16 port);
+#include <QObject>
 
- private:
-  static void SyncPublish(const QString& domain, const QString& type, const QString& name, quint16 port);
+class OrgFreedesktopAvahiEntryGroupInterface;
+class OrgFreedesktopAvahiServerInterface;
+
+class QDBusPendingCallWatcher;
+
+class Avahi : public QObject, public Zeroconf {
+  Q_OBJECT
+
+public:
+  Avahi();
+
+  virtual void Publish(const QString& domain,
+                       const QString& type,
+                       const QString& name,
+                       quint16 port);
+
+private slots:
+  void EntryGroupNewFinished(QDBusPendingCallWatcher* call);
+  void AddServiceFinished(QDBusPendingCallWatcher* call);
+  void CommitFinished(QDBusPendingCallWatcher* call);
+
+private:
+  OrgFreedesktopAvahiServerInterface* server_;
+  OrgFreedesktopAvahiEntryGroupInterface* entry_group_;
+
+  QString domain_;
+  QString type_;
+  QString name_;
+  quint16 port_;
 };
 
 #endif
diff --git a/src/remote/zeroconf.cpp b/src/remote/zeroconf.cpp
index cab2c00d9..d83c1475d 100644
--- a/src/remote/zeroconf.cpp
+++ b/src/remote/zeroconf.cpp
@@ -14,13 +14,11 @@ Zeroconf* Zeroconf::instance_ = NULL;
 
 Zeroconf* Zeroconf::GetZeroconf() {
   if (!instance_) {
-  #ifdef Q_OS_DARWIN
-    return new Bonjour();
-  #endif
-
-  #ifdef HAVE_DBUS
-    return new Avahi();
-  #endif
+    #if defined(Q_OS_DARWIN)
+      instance_ = new Bonjour();
+    #elif defined(HAVE_DBUS)
+      instance_ = new Avahi();
+    #endif
   }
 
   return instance_;
diff --git a/src/remote/zeroconf.h b/src/remote/zeroconf.h
index c60c16109..94e565565 100644
--- a/src/remote/zeroconf.h
+++ b/src/remote/zeroconf.h
@@ -4,13 +4,17 @@
 #include <QString>
 
 class Zeroconf {
- public:
-  virtual void Publish(
-      const QString& domain, const QString& type, const QString& name, quint16 port) = 0;
+public:
+  virtual ~Zeroconf() {}
+
+  virtual void Publish(const QString& domain,
+                       const QString& type,
+                       const QString& name,
+                       quint16 port) = 0;
 
   static Zeroconf* GetZeroconf();
 
- private:
+private:
   static Zeroconf* instance_;
 };