Abstract: A portable communication device (12) is equipped with a touch input device (16) that displays a plurality of key input regions, wherein at least one of the key input regions includes a plurality of symbols. A key press may be detected in one of the key input regions, which causes symbols associated with the selected key to be displayed in one or more adjacent key input regions. The user may slide an object (e.g., a finger, stylus, etc.) across from one key input region to another key input region to select a particular symbol. Generally, the symbol is selected by detecting a key release in the key region associate the selected symbol.