Apple Misses September Deadline for 'Push' Notifications

[kdarling]

Er ... so far as I was aware, the push notifications come in via the cell communication signals (like SMS) and add a mini icon (e.g. number of emails waiting) to the application icon on the homescreen. you're only going to use up more battery once you load the application to deal with that status update.

SMS signaling is not used these days for push... it's not reliable and more importantly, it costs the user.

Push requires keeping a communication path open between the phone and server. To keep it open, comms must occur every ten to thirty minutes.

This is done by sending a TCP/IP request with a very long timeout from the phone to the server. If a notification needs to be sent, the server simply replies to the phone right then. If the timeout occurs first, then the server replies negatively and the phone sends another request.

The upshot is, push requires constant data comms, and that requires power.

 

[Adjei]

Why does Apple always act like making a product "100%" and "getting it out by THEIR OWN set release date" are two things that can never happen simultaneously? You figure that a company that huge would be smart enough to be able to calculate how long it will take to make something "100%" right the first time, and then pick a date to get it out. They always act like they are doing us a favor when they say stuff like this; and it is starting to get old. They should know how long it will take and not just pick a date out of thin air and pray it's ready by then.

Will you just quit complaining, things in life don't always go as planned, you have delays, things come up, maybe they are trying to get things right instead of sending things out with bugs like previously done.

 

[question fear]

I really want this implemented soon...my biggest issue is that I'd love to use Pocket Informant on my iPhone. It's basically a supercharged calendar, and they've done an amazing job on the Windows Mobile app. They're also releasing a version for the blackberry. I have been trying to remember to carry my PDA around for PIM stuff, but I keep hoping I can swing everything over to my iPhone...

Unfortunately, Apple's SDK bans devs from accessing the calendar database. So Pocket Informant has to rely on a web based sync, and according to their website they need push notification to make it work. This of course all assumes Apple even approves WebIS, since the iPhone already comes with a calendar.

I have been hanging on as long as I can, but seriously, if it's not out by the end of the month my iPhone is being relegated to a game/PMP device and I'm getting a regular smartphone. I don't need a lot, but a more robust calendar with to-dos and contacts implemented is, from long and painful experience, the best way for me to get organized and stay on top of things. Argh.

 

[michalko.j]

There, fixed.

Am I the only person in the world that can't install *any* application updates in 2.1? Can anyone else transfer new/updated applications from their iPhone back to iTunes?

2.1 is an improvement, but it's still early beta quality.

Try reauthorizing your computer. Had that problem too and it fixed it.

 

[Rybold]

Steve Jobs is said to have emailed a customer who inquired about the status of this new feature. Jobs reportedly said "We're running a bit late. We want to get it 100% right the first time."

I have no problem waiting an extra week or two. No big deal. I would rather them take their time and do it right.

 

[gilbert1020]

Apple has been really dropping the ball lately...

 

[d21mike]

SMS signaling is not used these days for push... it's not reliable and more importantly, it costs the user.

Push requires keeping a communication path open between the phone and server. To keep it open, comms must occur every ten to thirty minutes.

This is done by sending a TCP/IP request with a very long timeout from the phone to the server. If a notification needs to be sent, the server simply replies to the phone right then. If the timeout occurs first, then the server replies negatively and the phone sends another request.

The upshot is, push requires constant data comms, and that requires power.

I was not aware that all Push Implementations are the same. I am very interested in this subject. Do you have a link to an Apple Page that explains in detail how they have implemented Push for Mail? Thanks.

 

[littlewaywelt]

Without push, my email delay averages 7.5 minutes. That's "good enough" for a few more weeks.

Push AIM will be great though. No SMS for me. Any friends I have who still rely on primitive SMS can either upgrade to real IM/email... or use a thing called "voice"

And then I'm eagerly awaiting push-enabled MMO games. It will probably take a few generations to get them right, but the potential is there.

I'm one of the dinosaurs that never uses text, but keep in mind that there are more text messages generated by cell phones each day than phone calls and given there are so few phones capable of running IM, the "primitive" nature of TM is moot.

 

[kdarling]

I was not aware that all Push Implementations are the same. I am very interested in this subject. Do you have a link to an Apple Page that explains in detail how they have implemented Push for Mail? Thanks.

Not all. RIM paid a half billion dollars for patent rights to their method, which uses UDP packets instead.

But yes, all other Push implementations these days are very very similar, from IMAP Idle to Exchange. They all basically make a TCP/IP request with a long timeout.

Some good reading:

Exchange Direct Push

IMAP Idle push

Push overview

Blackberry Push vs Microsoft etc