Unlike Palm's earlier attempts at a data-centric wireless handheld the Tungsten W adds voice to the mixture. While it's not the best device on the market in this area, as you must use an earpiece to use the phone feature, it does succeed when it comes to email and Internet access.

Since the Tungsten W became available earlier this year, a number of significant events have taken place, including the advent of Palm's own Tungsten C and its Wi-Fi wireless capability and Palm's announced acquisition of Handspring. In terms of the silver Tungsten C, aside from the different wireless technology, Palm has taken a giant leap forward over the grayish Tungsten W in terms of processor speed and power, memory capacity, display quality and even the operating system, all in a form factor that is very similar to the Tungsten W but without the antenna.

As for the effect of Handspring coming into the Palm fold, it looks like the Palm line will stay in tack, including the Tungsten W, as one part of the company that focuses on data-centric products, while the Handspring part of the company will focus on what Handspring does best, smartphones. Just last week, Handspring introduced its eagerly awaited sequel to the Treo 270 and Treo 300, the completely reconfigured Treo 600, expected to be available this fall.

So where does that leave folks who may be considering the Tungsten W as a wireless solution? In this review, we'll attempt to answer that question.