The Tungsten W represents Palm's latest effort to catch up to RIM and Handspring in launching a popular wireless device that will enable it to grab the corporate market. The company's previous Palm VII series and i705 wireless devices did not live up to expectations.
AT&T Wireless is the first major carrier to announce support for the Tungsten W, which was launched in Singapore at the end of January.
Palm originally announced the Tungsten W, along with its Tungsten T device, last October. The Tungsten W will come with a built-in keyboard and uses the next-generation GPRS network for always-on high-speed data access. Although the Tungsten W is capable of making phone calls with a plug-in earpiece, but will be marketed more as a wireless data device rather than a cell phone. The Tungsten W will sell for about $549 without a service contract, although we know how that goes. You will likely be able to sign a contract with a wireless carrier that will lower the price of the device if you stay on for a year or so.
The Tungsten W runs version 4.1 of Palm's operating system. It will also have a color screen with a resolution of 320 pixels by 320 pixels and a Secure Digital expansion slot.
