1. A handheld electronic device, comprising: a controller; a display screen connected to the controller; an input device connected to the controller; a communication subsystem connected to the controller for communication over a wireless network; a notification element connected to the controller, wherein the notification element comprises a buzzer, a vibrator, a light, a tone generator, a speaker, or any combination thereof; wherein the controller is configured for: initiating a locked state on the device in response to detection of a trigger condition; deactivating the display screen; monitoring for one or more predetermined inputs via the input device when the device is in the locked state; and with the display screen deactivated, generating a notification regarding a new event and/or device state via the notification element in response to detection of a predetermined input when the device is in the locked state; wherein the notification element comprises a first light emitting diode for emitting light of a first colour and a second light emitting diode for emitting light of a second colour, wherein the controller is configured for, in response to a first predetermined input, flashing the first light emitting diode in the first colour when one or more new events of a first type have occurred; and wherein the controller is configured for, in response to a second predetermined input, flashing the second light emitting diode in the second colour when one or more new events of a second type have occurred.