A method includes, with a portable, wireless transceiver, detecting a predetermined motion pattern of the transceiver; and in response to detecting the predetermined motion pattern of the transceiver, transmitting a wireless wake signal from the portable transceiver to a sleeping computer. A corresponding portable transceiver unit includes: a microphone to receive spoken voice commands from a user; a wireless transceiver to wirelessly communicate with a separate computer; and a motion sensor to detect a predetermined motion pattern at the portable transceiver unit. The wireless transceiver, in response to the motion sensor detecting the predetermined motion pattern of the transceiver, wirelessly transmits a wake signal to the computer.