Systems and methods detect simple user gestures to enable selection of portions of segmented content, such as text, displayed on a display. Gestures may include finger (such as thumb) flicks or swipes as well as flicks of the handheld device itself. The used finger does not occlude the selected text, allowing users to easily see what the selection is at any time during the content selection process. In addition, the swipe or flick gestures can be performed by a non-dominant finger such as a thumb, allowing users to hold the device and make the selection using only one hand. After making the initial selection of a target portion of the content, to extend the selection, for example to the right, the user simply swipes or flicks the finger over the touchscreen to the right. The user could also flick the entire device in a move gesture with one hand.
