1. A portable electronic system comprising: a processor; a bus coupled to said processor; an electronic display device coupled to said bus; a memory device coupled to said bus; and a user removable data input device providing a plurality of different methods of data input to the portable electronic system coupled to said bus, said user removable data input device comprising: a data input surface for detecting a gesture performed thereon by a user and for facilitating recognition of said gesture as corresponding to a particular data input, wherein said data input surface is responsive to a touch thereon and is in a location relative to a perimeter of said electronic display device that is spaced from the electronic display device, wherein said data input surface has one of a plurality of marking configurations, wherein each marking configuration facilitates operating said data input surface in one of a plurality of functional configurations, wherein said data input surface includes a first data input area and a second data input area, wherein said first data input area is configured to facilitate recognition of one or more first gestures, and wherein said second data input area is configured to facilitate recognition of one or more second gestures associated with one of said functional configurations, and wherein said user removable data input device is configured to couple to said portable electronic system and to uncouple from said portable electronic system.
1. A portable electronic system comprising: a processor; a bus coupled to said processor; an electronic display device coupled to said bus; a memory device coupled to said bus; and a user removable data input device providing a plurality of different methods of data input to the portable electronic system coupled to said bus, said user removable data input device comprising: a data input surface for detecting a gesture performed thereon by a user and for facilitating recognition of said gesture as corresponding to a particular data input, wherein said data input surface is responsive to a touch thereon and is in a location relative to a perimeter of said electronic display device that is spaced from the electronic display device, wherein said data input surface has one of a plurality of marking configurations, wherein each marking configuration facilitates operating said data input surface in one of a plurality of functional configurations, wherein said data input surface includes a first data input area and a second data input area, wherein said first data input area is configured to facilitate recognition of one or more first gestures, and wherein said second data input area is configured to facilitate recognition of one or more second gestures associated with one of said functional configurations, and wherein said user removable data input device is configured to couple to said portable electronic system and to uncouple from said portable electronic system. 26. A data input device as recited in claim 1 wherein said second data input area is an electronic game control template wherein any one of a plurality of electronic game controls is selected by performing said one or more second gestures.