A handheld electronic communication device that is transitionable between compact and expanded configurations is disclosed. The device includes a display panel positioned adjacent and parallel to a keyboard panel in the compact configuration. The display panel and keyboard panel are coupled together by one or more connectors. In at least one embodiment, the at least one connector enables relative x and z direction motion between the panels, while maintaining them in parallel. In at least one other possible embodiment the display panel can be shifted sideways from the keyboard to expose one or more keys. This other at least one possible embodiment is particularly useful when the device is used as a multimedia player and it is undesirable to expose the entire keyboard panel.