Research In Motion (RIM) is pushing a new BlackBerry push API (application programming
interface) that will enable developers to push real-time content to
BlackBerry smartphones. This push technology can be used for breaking news stories, immediate sales leads, real-time sports scores, and Wi-Fi auto sync.
RIM is extending its existing push technology from the
enterprise into the consumer space, allowing developers to leverage
push technology for BlackBerry applications targeted at consumers.
BlackBerry Push API is optimized for time - and location - sensitive alerts, such as:
- news and weather.
- banking and stocks.
- medical services.
- sports scores.
- back up notifications.
Push technology provides a proactive mechanism for developers to
deliver data to BlackBerry smartphones as it becomes available. It
brings immediacy to mobile communications with real-time content,
preserves battery life, and minimizes data usage by eliminating the
need for "poking" and "polling" servers. RIM's unique push technology
significantly enhances the user experience and provides a proactive
mechanism for developers to deliver data to BlackBerry smartphones as
the data becomes available.
The new BlackBerry push API allows developers to push content, as
well as alerts, to BlackBerry smartphone users. Users will not have to
wait for lengthy content downloads once alerts are received.
"Push technology has previously been available to corporate
developers with the BlackBerry® Enterprise Solution, and is built into
a range of smartphone applications for business," said Alan Brenner,
Senior Vice President, BlackBerry Platforms at Research In Motion.
"With the availability of this push API, BlackBerry developers can
build true push technology into their Java-based consumer applications
and enhance the user experience by delivering valuable content to users
in real time."
Push APIs for browser content are the foundation of the BlackBerry
Web Signals service launched by RIM in October 2008.. BlackBerry Web Signals
technology enables online content providers to push alerts to
BlackBerry smartphone users when relevant content has been published or
updated and supports one-click access from an icon to the online
information.
The BlackBerry push API is ideal for mobile applications that
deliver value by providing real-time content and updates, including
news, weather, banking, medical, IT services applications and games.
Several organizations are already developing applications with the
BlackBerry push API, including:
- Handmark - With the new BlackBerry push API
technology, the Pocket Express news and information service from
Handmark can alert customers of breaking news, sports stats, weather
alerts, flight status updates and other information immediately as it
happens. This offers a more timely, relevant and engaging experience
for customers. - Salesplace - SalesNOW will leverage the BlackBerry
push API to give customers the ability to send immediate notifications,
such as sales leads, service requests, client calls and appointments,
to sales and service reps in the field. - The Hockey News -
Powered by Polar Mobile, The Hockey News application gives fans
real-time score updates, late-breaking news headlines, player
statistics, team standings and expert analysis from across the NHL. The
Hockey News will leverage the BlackBerry push API to keep fans up to
date with the latest scores sent directly to their BlackBerry
smartphones. - DevelopIQ - The 7digital Music Store allows users to browse,
search, discover and purchase high quality, DRM-free MP3 music from
their BlackBerry smartphones. Purchases made on the move are
automatically replaced with high quality versions when the user returns
home via Wi-Fi Auto-Sync. The 7digital Music Store will use the
BlackBerry push API to ensure that purchases the user makes on
7digitial.com are automatically delivered to their BlackBerry
smartphone.
The BlackBerry push API is available exclusively to BlackBerry
Alliance Program members. For more information about the BlackBerry
Alliance Program, visit www.blackberry.com/go/alliances.
For more information about BlackBerry push APIs, visit www.blackberry.com/developers/pushapi.