PushNotification
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Twitter sent out strange, nonsensical notifications to its users
If you got a super weird Twitter notification today, featuring a seemingly random string of numbers a letters ending in a colon and another number, you're not alone. Quite a few users posted screenshots of the ones they received today, noting that when clicked, they didn't lead to anything. Tapping on the notifications only brought users to their notifications tab.
Comcast xFi customers get push notifications for WiFi activity
Comcast is introducing a new feature for its Xfinity xFi customers. Starting this week, users will receive a push notification anytime there is a change in their network. That means that if your child hops on the Wi-Fi when they're supposed to be asleep, now a push notification will rat them out.
Google will nudge SMS two-factor users to try its way instead
Google rolled out a new look and feel for two-factor authentication earlier this year, and soon it will encourage people still using the text message-based system to try it out. Google Prompt pops up a notification on authorized mobile devices with information about a login attempt, including what device it's coming from.
Firefox gives you push notifications from websites
If you've wanted websites to push notifications whenever there's a big update, you've typically had to use a browser like Chrome or Safari. As of today, though, there's a third option: Mozilla has released Firefox 44, which brings push notifications to all desktop users. Grant a site permission and you'll get a heads-up whenever there's an important story or alert, whether or not a given site is open. It's arguably an overdue feature, but it's hard to knock having more choice.
Google's Cloud Messaging now sends notifications to iOS devices
Google's Cloud Messaging is no longer just for sending alerts to Android devices or your web browser. The internet giant has announced that the service now pushes notifications to iOS devices as well -- your favorite app can deliver updates to all your gadgets using a single system. The Cloud Messaging update also introduces topics, so an app can ask you about getting only the notifications you care about. A news app can send you notifications about tech and world news, for instance, while skipping entertainment. These features will take a while to filter down to the software you use, but they promise to both keep your hardware in harmony and cut back on some noise. Don't miss out on all the latest news and updates from Google I/O 2015. Follow along at our events page.
Chrome's push notifications reach your Android phone
Chrome's website push notifications are no longer confined to your desktop -- they now surface on your phone, too. Grab Chrome 42 for Android and you can opt into alerts from websites that show up no matter what you're doing. You won't have to worry about missing out on breaking news, even if your favorite sites don't have dedicated apps. You'll also have an easier time adding home screen shortcuts for those sites if you always want them close at hand. It'll be a while before many of the sites you frequent can deliver notifications (eBay, Facebook and Pinterest are some of the early adopters), but it's worth upgrading now to get ready.
Google Chrome's push notifications are now available to everyone
You no longer have to grab a test version of Chrome to try push notifications for yourself. Google has released the finished version of Chrome 42, which lets websites send you alerts (with your permission, of course) whether or not the browser is open. You can get breaking news, for example, or find out when someone outbid you in that antique auction. The feature will be more than a little familiar to Safari users, but this is platform-independent -- you should see it in Linux and Windows, too. There aren't any other conspicuous improvements to Chrome, but Google is promising lots of under-the-hood performance and security improvements that should make your update worthwhile.
Google Chrome beta adds push notifications
Chrome's push notification feature has graduated from the Canary channel and is now part of the latest Beta release. And you know what that means, right? It's just one step away from being incorporated into the stable browser. Chrome Beta 42 (for all platforms) comes with two new APIs that allows websites to send you notifications even if the browser isn't open. Each message comes with "Site Setting" beneath it, though (as you can see below the fold), providing a way to quickly switch off notifications from that particular service or website.
Facebook 'Safety Check' lets friends know you're OK after a major disaster
Despite the frivolous nature of most social media interactions, Facebook's latest new feature is intended for use only in serious situations. Unveiled today in Japan, Safety Check notifications are pushed to users when a natural disaster hits and area you have listed as your location, where you've checked in on Nearby Friends, or where you recently logged in from. Tech companies like Google and Facebook have worked to connect people after significant disasters in the past, and Facebook says the project is an extension of the Disaster Message Board its Japanese engineers rolled out after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami there. Safety Check is rolling out globally on Android, iOS, feature phones and the desktop -- there's a demo video (embedded after the break) to explain how it all works.
Foursquare redesign for iOS brings you more location info at a glance
Foursquare gave its iOS check-in app a makeover just a few months ago, but it's already back with a redesign that takes fuller advantage of Apple's platform. The version 7.0 app has a more compact layout that puts more information up front -- you'll see more of your friend feed and a carousel of tips. It also refreshes with each launch, so you're more likely to notice what's going on nearby. You won't necessarily have to open the app to see what's going on, though. In sync with the 7.0 refresh, Foursquare is rolling out its push recommendations to all Android and iOS users; you'll only have to visit a new town or a friend's favorite eatery to get advice. iPhone-toting travelers can grab the new client at the source link, while the expanded notifications will automatically appear on their own.
With Mavericks just around the corner, websites begin supporting Safari push notifications
Apple is expected to unveil -- and ship shortly thereafter -- the final version of OS X 10.9 Mavericks at its media event today. With the new OS' launch fast approaching, some big-name websites have decided to switch on Safari push notifications a little early, notes MacRumors. If you're currently running a build of OS X 10.9 Mavericks, you can navigate to The New York Times and NBA.com to check the new feature out. With Safari push notifications in OS X 10.9 Mavericks, users can choose to get popup alerts from websites announcing breaking news or other information, even when Safari is closed. The notifications will appear in your desktop and in OS X's Notification Center, as notifications do now in OS X 10.8, and will also appear on your lock screen under 10.9.
Twitter gets pushy with notifications for recommended tweets
Twitter is one of the best ways to keep abreast of breaking news, but getting caught up on anything meaningful that happened on a given day can take hours of scrolling. To combat this, the service is now rolling out a push notification-based recommendation system that builds on @MagicRecs, the account that sends tailored content-suggestions based on who you follow. A trip to the Android and iOS settings menu is all it takes to enable (or disable) a buzz when there are favorites and retweets the platform thinks you might dig. If you can't spend all day watching your timeline but still want to stay in the loop, this could be perfect middle ground. Now if you'll excuse us, we just got word that Emergency Puppy tweeted out a new picture.
Apple asks developers to prepare for Safari Push Notifications
Apple has sent an email to developers asking them to get ready for Safari Push Notifications, reports Cult of Mac. In the email titled, "Get ready for Safari Push Notifications," the company lays out what Safari Push notifications entail and directs developers to the Safari Push Notifications website. OS X Mavericks introduces a powerful new way to keep users engaged with your website. You can now use the Apple Push Notifications Service to send notifications to your website users, right on their Mac desktop -- even when Safari isn't running. Safari Push Notifications work just like push notifications for apps. They display your website icon and notification text, which users can click to go right to your website. While push notifications from websites may be a good thing for breaking news, it seems like its an area that's ripe for exploitation. If push notifications become push ads, it's a feature that will easily annoy instead of inform. Let's hope developers remember that so they don't ruin the fun for everybody.
Court lifts injunction barring iCloud mail push notifications in Germany
Florian Mueller of FOSS Patents is reporting that a German court this week lifted an injunction which precluded iOS users in Germany from receiving iCloud mail push notifications. The injunction had been in place for about 18 months before being suspended this week. Recall that the patent underlying the injunction is owned and was initially asserted by Motorola back in April of 2011. According to Mueller, once Apple posts a bond -- which effectively serves as a pre-payment in the likelihood Motorola ultimately prevails on the merits -- push notifications for affected iOS users will be enabled once again. On the flip side, it's also possible that Apple, in the event that it emerges victorious in this litigation, will be entitled to damages from Motorola for the "enforcement of an injunction that shouldn't have been granted in the first place."
Google adds push notifications to Calendar API
Google just made the lives of third-party calendar developers much easier. Rather than having to constantly poll Google Calendar servers for updates, the Calendar API now supports push notifications. This means, with just a few lines of code, developers can sync their app to Mountain View's servers in near real time, rather than waiting on regularly scheduled updates. The only thing a developer will need to do is give a user the tools necessary to subscribe to a calendar. When something changes, Google sends a notification to the app, which performs an API call to pull down the updated data. Simple as pie! And probably a little healthier for your battery than checking in every 15 minutes, whether something has changed or not. If you're looking for a few more details you can hit up the source link.
Push notifications come to Chrome and Chrome OS with battery life as a focus
The push notifications on our mobile devices aren't just for convenience's sake -- they let apps stay idle and conserve precious battery life. That would explain why Google Cloud Messaging is now integrated with all versions of Chrome and Chrome OS, then. While both platforms are usually online as a matter of course, GCM lets developers refresh a web app or extension only when there are noteworthy changes, such as new chats. All end users have to do is sign in. Developers will have to build the feature into their apps before anyone sees the benefits, but we wouldn't be surprised if our Chromebooks last for just a little bit longer in the near future.
Evomail for iPad set to enter the fray for control of your Gmail inbox
Finally got off the reservation list for Mailbox? Now there's another app trying to sway your Gmail loyalty that's just arrived for iPad: Evomail. It brings "frictionless" support for Google's mail client, including quick access to labels, trash and archives, full Gmail search, push notifications and social network sharing for Twitter or Facebook. While launching strictly on the iPad, the developers told us that versions for iPhone, then Android would follow, but that it'd only support Google's mail service "at the moment." If you think it might serve your Gmail needs better than, er, the free-of-charge Gmail app, it's $2.99 at the source.
Twitterrific 5.2 brings push notifications, one handful of testers at a time
More than a few iOS-based Twitter users were happy to see Twitterrific 5 appear late last year with a fresh design, but were less than thrilled to go without the push notifications that many take for granted in other apps. Equality has come through Twitterrific 5.2 -- for some, at least. The upgrade at last pops up interactions as they happen, with a symbol to indicate whether it's a conversation, favorite or retweet. Push delivery isn't guaranteed at this point, however. Iconfactory is currently rolling out the beta-level feature to users in batches of 1,000 to avoid oversaturating its servers; you may have to wait awhile. The impatient still get some upgrades to sate their appetite, though, including user banners on profiles, discussion sharing through email and Droplr content thumbnails. If you're willing to pay $6 ($3 on sale) for more than what Twitter gives away for free, the new version may be a good excuse to try something new.
Gmail push notification no longer works with Mail on new iOS devices
Google's Gmail has provided push notification to iOS users through Mail.app for years, but an announced change has taken effect that will leave users with new devices without push notification in the iPhone's native mail app. Google announced in December that the Microsoft Exchange support offered with Google Sync would be removed, and the company ended that support on January 30, 2013. For those who are using the Gmail push notification feature on existing hardware, there's no cause for concern as Google has grandfathered in your accounts. However, when you get a new iOS device through an upgrade or replacement, you'll find that you can no longer receive instant push notifications for Gmail accounts. According to a post on Apple Insider, these changes went unnoticed by most people, with a number of new threads popping up on the Apple Support Communities regarding push notification issues and even Apple Genius representatives expressing bewilderment with the issue. Gmail users using the iOS Mail app now need to set new devices to fetch their mail on a timed basis (screenshot at right), grab new mail by manually launching the app and refreshing, or begin using another app to continue receiving push notifications. Google's free Gmail app provides push notifications of new emails, as does the highly prized Mailbox app. For those who want to continue using Mail.app, third-party notification service Boxcar can send push notifications separately. Google also provides Exchange support with push notification to Google Apps customers, starting at a monthly cost of US$5 per user.
Facebook testing iOS notification that bugs you to update your status
In a stellar example of how annoying push notifications can be if misused by app developers, social media giant Facebook is testing a push notification on its iOS app that bugs a user to update their status if they have not updated it in a while. The "feature" was first discovered and tweeted by Bijan Sabet, a general partner at Spark Capital and confirmed by Mashable. A Facebook representative admitted to Mashable that the feature is in a "small test we're running." Facebook is notorious for testing new features in certain geographic segments across the globe. However, just because they're testing this does not mean that the company will make it a standard "feature" on the app. But if it does, I can easily see this annoying the heck out of users. Sometimes I just don't need to update my Facebook status every day or week, and if my app is always asking me to do so, it will quickly be deleted.
