Hey bud, no wifi with the curve on Verizon. Verizon does block that. I guess I just have to ask why that matters? Do you have a poor Verizon signal where you live? EV-DO is full 3G, the curve and the internet service will fly with full 3G, so the wifi would be a step down. And on ANY device or ANY service, using wifi will kill your battery like no other. Better to use the device for what it was intended ... data transmission. There are pros and cons no matter what you look at. This isn't directly applicable, but consider...
You can get a Curve on AT&T or Sprint or whatever, but some of those curves are NOT 3G but DO have wifi. Ok, but so what? It still lacks 3G!!!
I think Verizon just doesn't care about wifi and doesn't see the point at all in even having it. Yes, they do cripple the phones, as the curve SHOULD be able to connect with wifi. But really, why would I ever want to do that? EV-DO is much better. Better internet speed, and better battery life for my curve. And if you don't already know ... you do NOT have to use the blackberry browser. For some things, yes, but for most casual web browsing you can download, install, and use opera mini. That's what I use for 99% of my web browsing. If you get a curve or tour, and then you get an iPod touch, within a few months, I highly doubt you'll be taking that touch anywhere with you. The BBs do the trick for internet access. MUCH better than wifi. Wifi would only be good if you were somewhere with no signal but had wifi ... and in that case ... use a computer. lol. And really, how often would you find yourself in that situation? I get a decent (at worst) signal everywhere I go. So yeah, that pretty much takes care of your second point. I just think with EV-DO there's really no need for wifi.
On the first point ... well taken if you don't do email. But that's a service question not at all related to the phone. You either get BB service or you get the Verizon data plan. With the VZ data plan, however, you have to use their web browser and web email programs, and comparatively speaking, they suck compared to BB service. Not even close. and believe me, I know, I just tried the env3 for a week. Took it back and got my curve. Trust me, you'll want the BB data plan over the VZ data plan just for the internet use aspect. You'll have email capability just as a result of having the BB service, so that's always there should you ever need email for something. What if you're away from home, get an email about a bill or something that doesn't look right, and you want to check it out. Just click the hyperlink in ur email and go to the page and check it out. I've been monitoring where my invisible shields, my ipod nano, and my mbp are on the web on my phone. No need to get on my computer every 5 minutes. So there def are scenarios where having email is awesome. and you're 19, like you said, maybe within the next 2 years email might become more important to you for one reason or another.
