BlackBerry apps will soon be getting push notification: RIM’s just announced that developers will be able to add realtime alerts to any BlackBerry app, so you’ll get everything you need to know delivered to you instantly, just like iPhone OS 3.0.
BlackBerry Pearl 3G: Everything you need to know. Click here!
RIM has been pushing BlackBerry App World as a serious platform to rival the iPhone App Store since it launched last month, and this latest announcement should convince any naysayers.
Similar to how email is pushed straight to your BlackBerry inbox, any updates to apps (Breaking news headlines, say, or local area traffic alerts for satnav software) can now take place instantly, without any need to manually search for them.
BlackBerry OS already allows you to run multiple apps in the background, unlike even iPhone OS 3.0, but push notification will be a big battery life saver, and means you don’t have to remember to launch an app on start up.
First off the blocks is progressive music download store 7digital. With BlackBerry app push notification, you’ll be able to buy a track on the move, then when you arrive home, it’ll trigger a higher quality download via Wi-Fi.
What we’d like to see most though? A Twitter client for BlackBerry that brings replies and direct messages into the conversation inbox, just like the latest version of Facebook. Expect an avalanche of apps to take advantage of this soon.
Out TBC | £TBC | RIM (Via Pocket-lint)
