Tactile alerting mechanism for portable communications device

An apparatus, comprising:

• a mobile communications device configured to transmit and receive wireless communication signals, the mobile communications device comprising a processor configured to generate an alert signal in selective response to input received by a wireless communications transceiver circuit and a housing enclosing the transceiver circuit;
• and
• a tactile alerting system, comprising a mechanical actuator fixed to the housing and controlled by the processor, and an expandable component coupled to the actuator and distinct from the housing, the expandable component moving in a motion cycle that includes visible movement extending outwardly from an exterior of the housing and visible movement retracting inwardly toward an interior of the housing such that the motion cycle of the expandable component provides visible and tactile movement exterior to the housing in response to the alert signal from the processor, wherein the expandable component comprises a rigid elongated piece rotating around a pivot fixed to the housing and extending from a side of the housing in a plane parallel to a display screen of the mobile communications device, providing the tapping movement and the tactile movement comprises at least one of a tapping or poking movement exerted by the expandable component against a person.