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BlackBerry Push Service

 

Push Boundaries with BlackBerry Push Infrastructure

Using the BlackBerry® Push Service1, BlackBerry Independent Software Vendor (ISV) Alliance Program members can create a wider range of applications that enhance the BlackBerry experience for BlackBerry smartphone users.

BlackBerry Push Service is a full featured, true push service, allowing developers to add in a key ingredient that differentiates BlackBerry software in the marketplace. You can send critical information to your end-user devices and receive notification of the push back to the server.

You can also take advantage of an option to broadcast notifications where there is less burden placed on the server because no information is returned. BlackBerry Push Service offers the option to choose BlackBerry Push Plus, which allows you to push information to end users with information about each push returned to the server, and BlackBerry Push Essentials, which doesn’t return information back to the server.

The BlackBerry Push Service is optimized for time- and location-sensitive alerts such as:

  • News and weather
  • Banking and stocks
  • Medical services
  • Sports scores
  • Back-up notifications

Note: BlackBerry Push Service was formerly known as the BlackBerry Push API. The name was changed to allow for more development options.

Learn More

1 To use the BlackBerry Push Service, you need to be a BlackBerry ISV Alliance Program member and enter into one or more agreements with Research In Motion (RIM), as well as download and use the BlackBerry Push Service SDK and enable the BlackBerry Push Service within your applications.

 

Build with BlackBerry Push Power

Immediate Information

Mobile end users have come to expect to have information at their fingertips when they’re notified of something new. You’ve experienced the familiar buzz or light on your smartphone and then a quick glance to see why you’re being notified. The key ingredient which gives the BlackBerry® software this capability is push technology. Now, this push technology is available for you to use in your applications.

Pushing data to a BlackBerry smartphone is the most efficient way to get information to BlackBerry smartphone users. With the BlackBerry Push Service1, data is delivered to Java® applications on the BlackBerry smartphone as it becomes available.

Money-saving Efficiency

Applications developed using the BlackBerry Push Service don’t need to repeatedly poll servers for new data. Although these polling requests and responses are small individually, the cost of these can add up quickly with frequent polling intervals across multiple applications.

The BlackBerry Push Service is designed to push consumable amounts of data. Content providers can push up to 8 KB of data to a BlackBerry smartphone with any given push request. If more data is available, the user can decide whether to retrieve it or not, providing a measure of control over how data is transferred and paid for.

Reduced Network Latency

Applications that use the BlackBerry Push Service can also reduce the impact of network latency. The BlackBerry Push Service delivers data to BlackBerry smartphones in the background without user involvement. The most recent data is synchronized and available on their BlackBerry smartphones the moment they open the application.

Longer Battery Life

The BlackBerry Push Service minimizes the impact on battery life. Instead of actively checking for new data, the application simply listens in the background for the server to push data to it. Once delivered, the application can process it as needed.

Little or No Learning Curve

Developers familiar with PAP standards already know all that’s needed to access BlackBerry Push Technology and begin pushing data to users. Much of the complexity of a pushed-based data delivery service is hidden because the BlackBerry® Infrastructure handles the process of managing and delivering push requests.

Improves Developer Margins

BlackBerry Independent Software Vendor (ISV) Alliance Program members who enhance their applications with BlackBerry Push Technology can benefit from this user engagement to drive more traffic back to revenue generators such as transaction, subscription or advertising.

Learn More

1 To use the BlackBerry Push Service, you need to be a BlackBerry ISV Alliance Program member and enter into one or more agreements with Research In Motion (RIM), as well as download and use the BlackBerry Push Service SDK and enable the BlackBerry Push Service within your applications.

 

How the BlackBerry Push Service Works

Image showing how the BlackBerry Push Service works

BlackBerry Push Service1

  1. Content provider sends a push request
  2. BlackBerry® Infrastructure returns a response
  3. BlackBerry Infrastructure pushes the data to the BlackBerry smartphone
  4. BlackBerry smartphone returns a response to the BlackBerry Infrastructure
  5. BlackBerry Infrastructure forwards acknowledgement to content provider
  6. Read notification is returned to the BlackBerry Infrastructure

Choose the BlackBerry Push Essentials option if you only want to push information one-way to the end user (Steps 1 and 3).

Learn More

1 To use the BlackBerry Push Service, you need to be a BlackBerry Independent Software Vendor (ISV) Alliance Program member and enter into one or more agreements with Research In Motion (RIM), as well as download and use the BlackBerry Push Service SDK and enable the BlackBerry Push Service within your applications.

 

Key Features of the BlackBerry Push Service

  • Allows up to 8 KB payload
  • Uses standard push protocols (WAP PAP 2.2)
  • Supported requests (via HTTP XML):
    • Submit Push (to PIN)
    • Cancel Push
    • Query for Status
    • Query for Device Capabilities
  • Response:
    • Result notification
  • Different submission modes:
    • Point-to-point (submit push to single PIN)
    • Multicast (submit push to list of PINs)
    • Broadcast (submit to all PINs for a registered application)
  • Developer-controlled expiry time (Push system will automatically retry pushing requests until expiry time)
  • Supports delivery notifications
  • Developer-set quality of service:
    • Application (“message reached application” acknowledgement returned to server)
    • Transport (“message reached port on device” acknowledgement)
    • Fire and Forget (no acknowledgements)

BlackBerry Push Services1
  BlackBerry Push Plus BlackBerry Push Essentials
8 KB Content Yes Yes
Single Port Yes Yes
Multiple Casting Methods Yes Yes
Status Query Yes No
Quality of Service Yes No
Controllable Expiry Time Yes – up to 8 hours Yes – up to 30 days

Learn More

1 To use the BlackBerry Push Service, you need to be a BlackBerry Independent Software Vendor (ISV) Alliance Program member and enter into one or more agreements with Research In Motion (RIM), as well as download and use the BlackBerry Push Service SDK and enable the BlackBerry Push Service within your applications.

 

Priced for Productivity

Content providers can discuss pricing details with their respective BlackBerry® Independent Software Vendor (ISV) Alliance Program Business Development representative. Research In Motion (RIM) will support the content provider through the initial service ramp-up.

BlackBerry Push Service1 offers two options:

BlackBerry Push Essentials:

  • Free service at all tiers

BlackBerry Push Plus:

  • Annual service fee, tiered based on the number of pushes sent per day
  • No yearly fee for services with less than 100,000 pushes per day
  • Annual subscription includes BlackBerry® Internet Service Browsing Data Transport
  • Note: the setup fee is currently being waived

Register now for the BlackBerry Push Service (BlackBerry ISV Alliance Program members only)

Learn more about the BlackBerry ISV Alliance Program or register now to become a member of the BlackBerry Alliance Program

Learn More

1 To use the BlackBerry Push Service, you need to be a BlackBerry ISV Alliance Program member and enter into one or more agreements with RIM, as well as download and use the BlackBerry Push Service SDK and enable the BlackBerry Push Service within your applications.

 

BlackBerry Push Service in Action

TIME application screenshot

TIME

BlackBerry® smartphone users get up-to-the-minute breaking news stories covering a variety of topics pushed immediately to their BlackBerry smartphone.

CNN Money.com screenshot

CNNMoney

In-depth financial news, including real-time stock quotes, market charts and video clips, is pushed immediately to BlackBerry smartphones.

The Hockey News application screenshot

The Hockey News

With all the latest NHL news pushed right to their BlackBerry smartphone, NHL fans can keep up with their favorite teams, player stats and team standings.

MobileCare application screenshot

MobileCare

With the MobileCare application, doctors and hospital staff can remotely access critical information virtually anytime and anywhere. Doctors can receive immediate access to their schedules, patient status, test results, surgery room availability and digital images.

WIC Pager application screenshot

WIC Pager

Designed with the BlackBerry smartphone user in mind, WIC Pager replaces older paging technology, overcomes the shortcomings of basic email and SMS notification, and aims to improve existing workflows and overall communication throughout the organization.

WeatherBug Elite application screenshot

WeatherBug Elite

WeatherBug Elite provides up-to-the-minute forecasts and weather conditions, pushed directly to BlackBerry smartphones. The current temperature is displayed next to the time on the home screen and is constantly updated as weather changes.

Pocket Express application screenshot

Pocket Express

Pocket Express gives BlackBerry smartphone users up-to-the-minute news, sports, weather, stocks, travel, entertainment news and more, all in one place, without the need for a browser.

7digital logo

7digital

BlackBerry smartphone users can browse, search, discover and purchase high quality, DRM-free MP3 music from their smartphones. Wi-Fi® Auto-Sync using the BlackBerry Push Service ensures any purchases made on 7digitial.com are delivered to the BlackBerry smartphone without any further action.

SalesNOW application screenshot

SalesNOW

SalesNOW leverages BlackBerry Push Service technology to give clients the ability to send immediate notifications to sales and service reps in the field.

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