A remote-control device for controlling a media device having an associated display, the remote-control device comprising: a remote-control device housing having a first side and a second side, the first side opposite the second side; a system control module within the housing; a first set of input controls positioned on a first side of the housing communicatively coupled to the system control module; a second set of input controls positioned on a second side of the housing and communicatively coupled to the system control module, wherein the second set of input controls comprises at least an optical sensor configured to wirelessly control movement of a cursor in a user interface displayed by the media device on the display; the system control module being configured to receive a mode input signal internally generated at said remote-control device, and to switch the remote-control device between a first mode and a second mode of operation according to said mode input signal, wherein in the first mode the optical sensor is configured to wirelessly control movement of the cursor on the display by detecting sliding movement of the optical sensor across a sliding surface of an object and the system control module is configured to select an item in the user interface displayed on the display at a current position of the cursor when a particular input control of the first set of input controls is activated, wherein in the second mode the optical sensor is configured to wirelessly control movement of the cursor on the display by detecting movement of a finger across the optical sensor and the system control module is configured to select an item in the user interface displayed on the display at a current position of the cursor when an input control of the second set of input controls is activated, and wherein the second set of input controls further comprises a QWERTY keyboard, characterized in that the remote-control device is provided with network connection units allowing the establishment of a two-way communication with the controlled media device; the mode input signal is based at least in part on an indication, received by the remote-control device from the media device, of what type of menu system or navigation control is currently being used or activated on the display of the media device; the reception of an indication that the user interface on which the cursor is being displayed accepts text input, causes the system control module to switch the remote-control device to the second mode wherein: the QWERTY keyboard is enabled; the first set of input controls is disabled; the optical sensor is configured to wirelessly control movement of the cursor on the display by detection of movement of a finger across the optical sensor. a remote-control device housing having a first side and a second side, the first side opposite the second side; a system control module within the housing; a first set of input controls positioned on a first side of the housing communicatively coupled to the system control module; a second set of input controls positioned on a second side of the housing and communicatively coupled to the system control module, wherein the second set of input controls comprises at least an optical sensor configured to wirelessly control movement of a cursor in a user interface displayed by the media device on the display; the system control module being configured to receive a mode input signal internally generated at said remote-control device, and to switch the remote-control device between a first mode and a second mode of operation according to said mode input signal, wherein in the first mode the optical sensor is configured to wirelessly control movement of the cursor on the display by detecting sliding movement of the optical sensor across a sliding surface of an object and the system control module is configured to select an item in the user interface displayed on the display at a current position of the cursor when a particular input control of the first set of input controls is activated, wherein in the second mode the optical sensor is configured to wirelessly control movement of the cursor on the display by detecting movement of a finger across the optical sensor and the system control module is configured to select an item in the user interface displayed on the display at a current position of the cursor when an input control of the second set of input controls is activated, and wherein the second set of input controls further comprises a QWERTY keyboard, characterized in that the remote-control device is provided with network connection units allowing the establishment of a two-way communication with the controlled media device; the mode input signal is based at least in part on an indication, received by the remote-control device from the media device, of what type of menu system or navigation control is currently being used or activated on the display of the media device; the reception of an indication that the user interface on which the cursor is being displayed accepts text input, causes the system control module to switch the remote-control device to the second mode wherein: the QWERTY keyboard is enabled; the first set of input controls is disabled; the optical sensor is configured to wirelessly control movement of the cursor on the display by detection of movement of a finger across the optical sensor.