A device, method and computer readable medium for configuring settings of a device, such as a wireless device (400), based upon detection of nearby surfaces. The device includes a detection signal generator (330, 334, 338) and a detection signal receiver (332, 336). Detection signals include light generated by a display backlight (334) or a keypad (338) that is detected by a camera (336) or other photo-detector. Further detection signals include non-audible frequency sound signals generated by a speaker (330) and that are detected by a microphone (332). The device includes a processor (320) that configures settings in response to the detection of a nearby surface, such as a portion (520, 522) of a holster (500). The settings of the device, such as the wireless device (400), include at least one of a ring setting, a battery setting, a keypad 338 setting, and a display 334 setting.