Two-way communication apparatus having a touchpad-based user interface

A two-way communication apparatus has a user interface comprising a touchpad 10 and a controller 16 responsive to the touchpad 10. The touchpad 10 has a plurality of permanent images 26, 30 associated therewith. Selected ones of the permanent images 26, 30 are made visible and others are concealed based upon the mode of the two-way communication apparatus. In accordance with another aspect, the controller 16 recognizes a plurality of bi-directional strokes (gestures), including a first bi-directional stroke indicative of a first telephone command and a second bi-directional stroke indicative of a second telephone command, from the touchpad 10. Also disclosed is a method of inputting dialled digits via uni-directional strokes.