16. An apparatus, comprising: four rows of data entry keys, each of the four rows including a plurality of keys wherein at least one of the keys in the plurality of keys is assigned a first set of characters of an alphabetic keypad layout for input in a first mode of the apparatus and a second set of characters of an alphanumeric telephone keypad layout for input in a second mode of the apparatus, each of the first and second sets including at least one alphabetic character, and the second set including at least one number, wherein the first and second set of characters are not identical sets of characters; wherein: at least one of the sets of characters is the set YI, said set YI being assigned to a single data entry key; and the apparatus is configured, as part of operation in the first mode, to input allow for input of a single character out of the first set of characters by receiving a single activation of the at least one key; the apparatus is further configured, as part of operation in the second mode, to allow for selection as input of a character out of the second set of characters by receiving one or more consecutive activations of the at least one key; and a memory including a database of words from which a list of words associated with a key activation sequence input by a user can be generated.
16. An apparatus, comprising: four rows of data entry keys, each of the four rows including a plurality of keys wherein at least one of the keys in the plurality of keys is assigned a first set of characters of an alphabetic keypad layout for input in a first mode of the apparatus and a second set of characters of an alphanumeric telephone keypad layout for input in a second mode of the apparatus, each of the first and second sets including at least one alphabetic character, and the second set including at least one number, wherein the first and second set of characters are not identical sets of characters; wherein: at least one of the sets of characters is the set YI, said set YI being assigned to a single data entry key; and the apparatus is configured, as part of operation in the first mode, to input allow for input of a single character out of the first set of characters by receiving a single activation of the at least one key; the apparatus is further configured, as part of operation in the second mode, to allow for selection as input of a character out of the second set of characters by receiving one or more consecutive activations of the at least one key; and a memory including a database of words from which a list of words associated with a key activation sequence input by a user can be generated. 18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the memory including the database of words comprises a memory including one or more dictionaries from which a list of words or partial words associated with a key activation sequence can be generated.