hopie - we think about this too - as in the future, bruce needs to get his emails daily - even when we travel. we refuse to shlep a laptop on vacation. i assume for you, you want to check it from the beach where you live for now...
it isn't always about the PHONE you are using - it is about the SERVICE (G3, G4, true WIFI, EDGE) available thru your carrier. call your cell provider and have them explain how it works. also - some devices allow you to edit documents, some dont. the pearl has a different kind of keyboard than the curve- i ended up getting neither, but would have picked the curve - better do serious research, hon...