Abstract: A wireless handheld device is disclosed that includes a device housing, a wireless transmitter, such as a short range wireless transmitter, a local display and a housing motion detector that is operative to detect motion of the housing, for example, relative to a surface or other reference point, and outputs graphic user interface control information for transmission by the wireless transmitter to an external device. In one embodiment, a wireless pointing device is operably coupled with a wireless handheld device such as a cell phone or any other suitable wireless handheld device that includes a short range wireless transmitter and/or transceiver to remotely control operation of a graphic user interface for an external device. The housing motion detector utilizes the battery power of the wireless handheld device as its sole source of power or as an auxiliary source of power.