I usually check my mail via pop3 in the terminal, simples really, try doing this on the iphone !! you can't apples give you no freedom !!! First I open a terminal Then telnet port 110 into mail server ip or fqdn of server enter user <username> then pass <password> then its quite easy list shows mbox items then to read an email simply enter retr <msg no> you can delete spam/old messages with dele <msg no> and dont forget the quit command to cleanly close the session.