A method for operating a free space pointing device comprises sensing movement of said free space pointing device which includes an accelerometer for use in sensing movement, and generating a first data associated with said movement; separating said first data associated with said movement into a second data associated with intentional movement of said free space pointing device and a third data associated with unintentional movement of said free space pointing device; and generating a processed output associated with an intended movement of said free space pointing device based on said second data. A handheld pointing device comprises an accelerometer for sensing movement of said free space pointing device, and generating a first data associated with said movement; and a processor configured for performing the above method.