A handheld electronic device, such as a fob, includes a wireless communication port and a display alternatively displaying a first or right-handed display orientation and a second or left-handed display orientation. The first display orientation is inverted with respect to the second display orientation. A processor component cooperates with the wireless communication port and the display. The processor component is adapted to receive a wireless radio frequency message including one of a first state and a different second state from the wireless communication port. The processor component then responsively configures the display in the first display orientation responsive to the first state or alternatively configures the display in the second display orientation responsive to the second state.