VX6800 WM 6.1 unread threaded SMS when I am viewing it

[crcucb]

I have VX6800 from Verizon and upgraded to WM 6.1 I have been using the new threaded messages, few things.

1) It's kind of slow, anyone got another good SMS threaded tool that is more responsive?

2) How can I delete older messages, like everything over a week old?

3) Most importantly, if I am viewing a thread between my wife and I and she sends me a new message, my phone still pops up and says I have an unread message. But I am their in the thread. Is their a way for it to know it's read by the mere fact that I am reading it in the thread?

Thanks
-C