Research In Motion Ltd. has launched a new BlackBerry push API that will enable developers focused on consumer applications to push real-time content to BlackBerry smartphones.
Push technology, already well-entrenched for BlackBerry enterprise applications, provides a proactive mechanism for developers to deliver data to BlackBerry smartphones as it becomes available. Aside from giving consumers the benefit for real-time content updates and alerts, push strategies preserve battery life, and minimize data usage by eliminating the need for "poking" and "polling" servers.
"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 for BlackBerry platforms, in a statement. 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.
Several organizations are already developing applications with the BlackBerry push API, RIM said, such as the Hockey News, which gives fans real-time score updates, late-breaking news headlines, player statistics, team standings and expert analysis from across the NHL.
