A positioning method and a handheld device for performing the method are disclosed. In the method, a handheld device captures images corresponding to positions of a reference when the handheld device points toward the reference. A first image position, a first tilt angle indicative of a rotation angle of the handheld device, and a first pointing coordinate of the reference can obtained. A second pointing coordinate according to the first image position and a second tilt angle are obtained. Therefore, a first displacement vector between the first pointing coordinate and the second pointing coordinate can be computed. A third pointing coordinate can also be obtained. When a substantial movement of the positions of the reference revealed in the images captured by the handheld device is found, an output pointing coordinate is obtained. The output can be outputting a cursor parameter for controlling a cursor controlled by the handheld device.