A controller includes a touch sensor and a proximity sensor. Information on when and where a user touches the surface of the touch sensor is detected. Additionally, information on pre-touch events is detecting. The pre-touch events correspond to a user's finger hovering over the touch sensor within some maximum depth. A display device generates visualizations based on the hover events and the touch events. This can include providing visual feedback in a hover mode where a user's finger is, relative to the touch sensor. Additionally, various forms of navigation information may be provided in the hover mode, as well as other control information.