A handheld computing device (10) having voice input and voice output includes a handheld unit (20) having a processor (11) and a display (18) communicating with the processor (11), a communication device (30) including means for voice input (43) and means for voice output (42), a mechanism (39, 41) for docking the communication device (30) with the handheld unit (20) forming a docked unit, the docked unit dimensioned to be held in one hand while being used for voice input and voice output, and at least one connection (23, 36) for carrying voice-representative signals between the handheld unit (20) and the device (30). Device (10) allows telephone-style, voice-driven, user-interface communications both when device (30) is docked with handheld unit (20), and when device (30) is detached from handheld unit (20). Communication device (30) is made lightweight so that it can be held for an extended amount of time during lengthy phone-style conversations, and may be equipped with a formed support such as a flexible loop (26) to let the user wear device (30) on one of user's ears for hands-free use. Device (10) can also be equipped with an image scanner to serve as a digital camera or videophone.