A method for controlling an application on a device, the method comprising: detecting that a user is maintaining an object or gesture at a position hovering within a detection range above a display of the device for a threshold length of time; anchoring an initial position of the object or gesture to the device based on the detection of the maintained position; in response to the detecting, engaging the device including displaying a user interface control allowing the user to perform different functions associated with a change of the object or the gesture from the anchored initial position; and controlling the application using the anchored initial position, wherein controlling the application using the anchored initial position comprises: manipulating the application whenever the object or gesture is detected to hover over a region outside of a stable zone, wherein the stable zone is a three dimensional space in which detected changes of the object or gesture result in no manipulations of the application, wherein manipulating the application comprises: performing a first panning action having a first speed if the object or gesture is detected to hover over a first region outside of the stable zone; and performing a second panning action having a second speed if the object or gesture is detected to hover over a second region outside of the stable zone, wherein the second region is farther away from the stable zone than the first region. detecting that a user is maintaining an object or gesture at a position hovering within a detection range above a display of the device for a threshold length of time; anchoring an initial position of the object or gesture to the device based on the detection of the maintained position; in response to the detecting, engaging the device including displaying a user interface control allowing the user to perform different functions associated with a change of the object or the gesture from the anchored initial position; and controlling the application using the anchored initial position, wherein controlling the application using the anchored initial position comprises: manipulating the application whenever the object or gesture is detected to hover over a region outside of a stable zone, wherein the stable zone is a three dimensional space in which detected changes of the object or gesture result in no manipulations of the application, wherein manipulating the application comprises: performing a first panning action having a first speed if the object or gesture is detected to hover over a first region outside of the stable zone; and performing a second panning action having a second speed if the object or gesture is detected to hover over a second region outside of the stable zone, wherein the second region is farther away from the stable zone than the first region. manipulating the application whenever the object or gesture is detected to hover over a region outside of a stable zone, wherein the stable zone is a three dimensional space in which detected changes of the object or gesture result in no manipulations of the application, wherein manipulating the application comprises: performing a first panning action having a first speed if the object or gesture is detected to hover over a first region outside of the stable zone; and performing a second panning action having a second speed if the object or gesture is detected to hover over a second region outside of the stable zone, wherein the second region is farther away from the stable zone than the first region. performing a first panning action having a first speed if the object or gesture is detected to hover over a first region outside of the stable zone; and performing a second panning action having a second speed if the object or gesture is detected to hover over a second region outside of the stable zone, wherein the second region is farther away from the stable zone than the first region.