...suddenly made it seem like a good deal to get ipod touch's for the whole family (rather than sign a new 2 yr contract with verizon and upgrade our phones)
I agree, at least for the preteens who you don't need a full cellphone, but they can text & call unlimited in WiFi, like at home:
iPod Touch + Toktumi "Line 2" app = own telephone # with unlimited Wifi text & calls for $15/month.
