A system and method for operating a portable electronic device are disclosed. A detected object is detected when the object is in contact with the device to provide detection results. Whether the device is performing a predetermined function to provide a first determination result and whether the object is in contact with the device based on the detection results to provide a second determination result are then determined. One of a first function and a second function comprising the first function based on the first determination result and the second determination result is then selected. The first function is selected if it is determined that the device is performing the predetermined function and that the object is in contact with mobile terminal. The second function is selected if it is determined that the device is performing the predetermined function and that the object is not in contact with the device.