We told you a bit back that RIM was beta testing a full Push API that would allow developers to create true push applications for BlackBerrys. RIM has finally released this API to all alliance members so if you have the money to pony up to become an alliance member you now have this available to you! I am just waiting for some developer to create a pseudo BES for consumers that will sync contacts and calendars immediately without the high cost of a BES hosting plan. I am looking at you Google Sync! 
Check out the details at:
http://www.blackberry.com/developers/pushapi
Some applications are in the process of being modified to make use of this new push API. RIM points them out as:
- 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.
- Handmark(R) - With the new BlackBerry push API technology, the Pocket Express(R) 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.
Check out the full press release after the jump! I am just waiting to see if this is a true game changer…
RIM Further Extends Push Technology to BlackBerry Developers
Real-time content delivery builds value into mobile applications for consumers
WATERLOO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire - May 4, 2009) - Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ:RIMM)(TSX:RIM) today announced the availability of a new BlackBerry push API (application programming interface) that will enable developers to push real-time content to BlackBerry(R) smartphones.
RIM is extending its existing, well-proven push technology from the enterprise into the consumer space, allowing developers to leverage push technology for BlackBerry(R) applications targeted at consumers. 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.
"Push technology has previously been available to corporate developers with the BlackBerry(R) 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."
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 APIs for browser content are the foundation of the BlackBerry(R) Web Signals service launched by RIM in October 2008. (http://press.rim.com/release.jsp?id=1870.) 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:
- 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.
- Handmark(R) - With the new BlackBerry push API technology, the Pocket Express(R) 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.
The BlackBerry push API is available exclusively to BlackBerry(R) 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.>