Method and apparatus for providing user interface of portable device

A method for providing a user interface on a touch screen of a mobile device, the method comprising:

• providing the user interface on the touch screen, wherein the user interface includes a first area for displaying menu items comprising a first menu item and a second menu item, a second area for displaying information that corresponds to one of the menu items on the first area and a third area for displaying a fifth menu item to perform an optional function, the third area being provided as a part of a main area including the first area and the second area;
• in response to detecting a first gesture on the first area of the touch screen, forming an extended menu area extended from the first area, reducing a size of the second area and displaying a third menu item and a fourth menu item in the extended menu area;
• in response to detecting a second gesture for selecting one of the third and fourth menu items which is displayed in the extended menu area and dragging the selected menu item to a designation location of the first area, moving the selected menu item from the extended menu area to the first area and moving one of the first and second menu items from the designated location of the first area to the extended menu area;
• and
• in response to detecting a touch input for selecting the fifth menu item while displaying the extended menu area, downsizing the extended menu area to increase the size of the second area,
• wherein each of the first menu item, the second menu item, the third menu item and the fourth menu item is selectable to allow the mobile device to perform a defined operation, and
• wherein the method further comprises:
• displaying a detailed menu relating to one among the first menu item, the second menu item, the third menu item and the fourth menu item in response to touching the one among the first menu item, the second menu item, the third menu item and the fourth menu item and holding on the touched one for a predetermined time.