Various techniques of using a portable electronic device for user input are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes acquiring a sensor reading from an inertial measurement unit of the portable electronic device. The sensor reading contains an acceleration of the portable electronic device. The method also includes determining a position change of the portable electronic device based on the acquired sensor reading and transmitting the determined position change to a computer. The position change is usable by the computer to control a cursor position on the computer.