Whenever I get a new message it takes like 5 steps to actually view it, which is annoying me. There must be an easier way?

Ideally, pressing the unlock button would automatically take me to the new message (instead of the media folder).

Right now, I have to press unlock, press the messages button, back out of the currently open message, scroll up, and select the message.

Do you use a holster?

Older OS versions will automatically open a message when the device is removed from the holster upon an email alert (unless the device is locked). Newer OS versions have the settings in message options to modify this function or turn it off.

If you use a holster and this does not happen (messages automatically opening when removed from holster upon a message alert), then check your settings.

Otherwise, if you don't use a holster, I don't know what you can do, except what you are doing.

Thanks but no, don't have (or want) a holster.

Any ideas at all to cut down the 5 steps?

Seems so inefficient.. can't believe no one else has been annoyed by this.

Not that I know of. Frankly, all of the things that you complain about are, by design, solved with the holsters that have a magnet so that the device senses when it is holstered and when it is not.

Don't leave the messages icon in a message.
That cuts out one step.
If you back out of the message when done reading it, it will then open the messages inbox, instead of the last read message.

True.

I guess you might also be able to speed things up using keyboard shortcusts if you have non-touchscreen device. Turn off dial from home. If you unlock your device and it is open to the media player, for example, press the red phone button to return to desktop, then press M to open the message folder. Just a thought.

FWIW, I found an app called BerryPopup that pops new messages right up on the screen. Even better than what I originally hoped for.

Only problem is BerryPopup unlocks the phone also, but another program LockPlus solves that problem. BerryPopup shows the message, and as soon as I hit hit the "mark as read" hotkey, LockPlus takes over again.

are you using the "today" theme? The today theme will post new emails (only) on your homescreen, thereby allowing you to see what messages you have received without having to go through a lot of steps, you will still have to unlock the phone to see them but one click instead of three or four is much better.

Do themes change functionality then?
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No, themes don't change functionality, just appearance. The today theme puts your calendar and messages on your home screen in a convenient format. I prefer this view because I can see my calendar and preview my emails all from the home screen.
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does that mean that phone locks itself once in holster? becasue sometimes, even if i press lock button and put it in holster, the phone unlocks on itself when take out of holster, is this confusing?

No, the holster does not lock the device.

Yes, as long as you have the phone set to do so, which I think is the default setting, putting your phone in a holster will lock the device.
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locking the BB in the holster is an option under options/password.
It is not a default option

well, when i lock my phone with that button on top left corner and then put i t in the holster, it unlocks (most of the times) when i take it out from holster, i don't recall setting anything related to that, to be honest i don't even have a clue where to find that option. am i accidentally unlocking phone when taking out of holster or what? i got 9800 with 6.0 software