I agree about the emails that this is something which is needed, but no widget is required as this is exactly what the new notifications system will do!I for one would like to have an email widget on my homescreen, or just have a notification of an email on my homescreen. Just who it's from etc.
So I could see if I have email, 1 button press. For me to check email right now, 1 button press, 1 swipe to unlock, 10 taps for my password, 1 tap on email.
There are already solutions which do this albeit using the very limited popup notifications... I use Pushmail to get alerts when new emails arrive