An input device comprising: a sensing element configured to detect object motion in a sensing region; and a processing system coupled to the sensing element, the processing system configured to: operate in a pointing mode, wherein the processing system recognizes a first type of sliding input in the sensing region as a first pointing command while in the pointing mode; operate in an enhanced gesturing mode, wherein the processing system recognizes a plurality of gesture commands associated with a plurality of different gesture actions while in the enhanced gesturing mode, and wherein the processing system recognizes the first type of sliding input in the sensing region as a first gesture command of the plurality of gesture commands while in the enhanced gesturing mode; and change from operating in the pointing mode to operating in the enhanced gesturing mode after recognizing a characteristic object motion in the sensing region as a mode changing gesture, the mode changing gesture comprising at least one input object of a plurality of input objects changing in contact state multiple times, wherein the changing in contact state is with respect to an input surface; wherein the processing system is configured to recognize the characteristic object motion in the sensing region as the mode changing gesture by determining that the plurality of input objects are on the input surface and that the at least one input object has actuated a switch by depressing the input surface, the depressing of the input surface being said changing in contact state. a sensing element configured to detect object motion in a sensing region; and a processing system coupled to the sensing element, the processing system configured to: operate in a pointing mode, wherein the processing system recognizes a first type of sliding input in the sensing region as a first pointing command while in the pointing mode; operate in an enhanced gesturing mode, wherein the processing system recognizes a plurality of gesture commands associated with a plurality of different gesture actions while in the enhanced gesturing mode, and wherein the processing system recognizes the first type of sliding input in the sensing region as a first gesture command of the plurality of gesture commands while in the enhanced gesturing mode; and change from operating in the pointing mode to operating in the enhanced gesturing mode after recognizing a characteristic object motion in the sensing region as a mode changing gesture, the mode changing gesture comprising at least one input object of a plurality of input objects changing in contact state multiple times, wherein the changing in contact state is with respect to an input surface; operate in a pointing mode, wherein the processing system recognizes a first type of sliding input in the sensing region as a first pointing command while in the pointing mode; operate in an enhanced gesturing mode, wherein the processing system recognizes a plurality of gesture commands associated with a plurality of different gesture actions while in the enhanced gesturing mode, and wherein the processing system recognizes the first type of sliding input in the sensing region as a first gesture command of the plurality of gesture commands while in the enhanced gesturing mode; and change from operating in the pointing mode to operating in the enhanced gesturing mode after recognizing a characteristic object motion in the sensing region as a mode changing gesture, the mode changing gesture comprising at least one input object of a plurality of input objects changing in contact state multiple times, wherein the changing in contact state is with respect to an input surface; wherein the processing system is configured to recognize the characteristic object motion in the sensing region as the mode changing gesture by determining that the plurality of input objects are on the input surface and that the at least one input object has actuated a switch by depressing the input surface, the depressing of the input surface being said changing in contact state.