A data-holding subsystem. The data-holding subsystem includes instructions stored thereon that when executed by a logic subsystem in communication with the data-holding subsystem: receive one or more signals, determine a sensor type for each signal of the one or more signals, identify a sensor type specific pattern corresponding to a motion gesture in at least one of the signals, and generate a gesture message based on the motion gesture. The gesture message may be usable by an operating system of a computing device that includes the data-holding subsystem to provide a system-wide function usable by one or more application programs of the computing device to provide an application specific function.