Embodiments of the present invention include a portable device with a programmable housing that changes appearance in accordance with data inputs. In one embodiment, the portable device comprises a rigid housing having an outer surface, wherein the outer surface forms a contoured outer surface of at least a first portion of said portable device, electronic paper attached to at least a second portion of the outer surface of the rigid housing, the electronic paper having a first input for receiving power and a second input for receiving data, wherein the electronic paper forms an image corresponding to the data received on the second input, thereby changing the appearance of at least the second portion of the portable device.