[kjjb0204]

OP - you can also hit P from your home screen to open the phone app. Or buy QuickLaunch for $5 and add Phone app to menu. Or press and hold menu key from any screen to launch app switcher and scroll to the phone app (always running). Yes, just hitting the green phone button would be the easy way, but how much fun is that?

I should add that there are many shortcuts from the home screen, so many that I've hidden a bunch of icons - messages, phone, calendar, calculator, browser, lock, address book, search. All have one key shortcuts. If you're not familiar with these, try a few out and have fun.