1. A method for providing a gesture-based user interface for a wearable portable device, comprising: storing a gesture profile for each of a plurality of different applications on the wearable portable device to define different gestures for the different applications; while executing one of the applications, receiving a gesture comprising a movement of the wearable portable device; using the gesture profile associated with the application to identify at least one of a character and a predetermined function associated with the gesture; in response to identifying the character, displaying the at least one character on the wearable portable device; in response to identifying the predetermined function, executing the predetermined function; and receiving a customized gesture profile downloaded to the wearable portable device that modifies the gesture, the customized gesture profile comprising personal preferences of the user regarding the modified gesture, including physical attributes of the user.