1. A computer system, comprising: a touch screen; and a processor communicatively coupled to the touch screen, the processor configured for displaying a series of items on the touch screen, causing a virtual scroll wheel to appear in response to an initial touch detected on the touch screen over the series of items, the virtual scroll wheel being manipulable using swirling motion touch events over the virtual scroll wheel, converting swirling motion touch events detected over the virtual scroll wheel subsequent to the initial touch into serial movement through the displayed series of items; detecting a second touch, the second touch at least partially contemporaneous with the initial touch; and activating a GUI element in response to the second touch, wherein the virtual scroll wheel and a virtual control interface of the GUI element are manipulable simultaneously; and wherein the virtual scroll wheel is a relative input device configured for moving through the series of items based on movement of the swirling motion touch event with respect to a location of the initial touch independent of any particular initial touch location on the virtual scroll wheel.