Handheld computer device with display which adapts to the orientation of the device and method for displaying information on such a device

A handheld computer device (100) for displaying information content, comprising a navigation unit (110) for receiving signals indicative of geographical location coordinates from a positioning system unit (120) and for outputting signals indicative of the geographical location of the handheld computer device (100), a display unit (200) whose orientation is changeable, and control means (210) for controlling the display unit (200)and configured for adapting the orientation of the display of the information content in response to a orientation signal from an orientation detection unit (230) indicative of the orientation of the display unit (200) . The control unit (210) may also be configured to select different information content to be displayed depending on the orientation of the display unit (200). A user machine interface (190) with touch-sensitive input zone (194) and associated icon or a key panel (190, 194) with changeable orientation is provided for inputting instructions, whereby each icon or label of a key of the key panel is oriented according to the orientation signal and whereby the orientation of the label is controlled by selective illumination. Further provided is a method for displaying information content on a handheld computer device in which the information content and input instruction key label are displayed according to a determined orientation of the device.