The last update the USCIS online status shows for my ap is for the NOA1. Will I be able to see any other updates here as they happen, or do I need to have the email status account to view touches, etc.? Or can I just see the same info when I check the status? Also, does setting up the email account have any bearing on slowing the process down, or does it all seem to progress at the same speed whether you sign up for the email updates or not? Thanks!

Set up and account with USCIS, they will email you status when significant case status changes, not touches.

https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/jsps/selectusertype.jsp