So I was going through my random ideas notebook, yes, I have a notebook dedicated just to crazy ideas, and I came across this old idea from way back (6 months ago?) when Google Wave first hit the public. My thought was, why can't Google use a tool like Google Wave to mirror, maybe even better, the iPhone push notification system?
Google Wave API plugins could be used for push notifications on Android not in dissimilar fashion to those on the iPhone. This system would involve some minor changes to the Android OS but would not fragment the OS as it would operate in addition to the current notification system. Additionally, Google would be able to leverage Google Wave in a way that would encourage developers and users alike to utilize Google Wave, to benefit of each. In this system the Android OS would allow apps to create waves in a user’s Google Wave account which the apps would use for storing all online and offline notifications, chats and other such events. At the OS level, Android, ether on Google’s servers or on each device, would monitor a user’s Wave account for changes. When a change is found that change would be directed to the corresponding app to notify the user or to perform any number of other tasks the app developer would see fit.
This system would have benefits outside any battery savings realized by using one global data connection. By plugging into Google Wave to direct notifications and data to a user’s Android device a developer would be making that notification and data stream available to the user outside of the Android device. A resourceful developer would be able to create a Google Wave app to leverage this data, extending their Android app to the desktop computing environment and potentially increasing the amount of time a user spends in their app. This increases the value to cost for the user and the potential advertising revenue for the developer.
A simple example would be a Twitter client would runs both on Android and inside Google Wave. Tweets and requests would be stored inside the Google Wave stream and presented inside a user friendly Wave app. That data would be directed to the corresponding Twitter client on the user’s Android device. Ideally, the Wave app and Android app would have a consistent UI across both platforms, creating a seamless user experience.
This system would have benefits outside any battery savings realized by using one global data connection. By plugging into Google Wave to direct notifications and data to a user’s Android device a developer would be making that notification and data stream available to the user outside of the Android device. A resourceful developer would be able to create a Google Wave app to leverage this data, extending their Android app to the desktop computing environment and potentially increasing the amount of time a user spends in their app. This increases the value to cost for the user and the potential advertising revenue for the developer.
A simple example would be a Twitter client would runs both on Android and inside Google Wave. Tweets and requests would be stored inside the Google Wave stream and presented inside a user friendly Wave app. That data would be directed to the corresponding Twitter client on the user’s Android device. Ideally, the Wave app and Android app would have a consistent UI across both platforms, creating a seamless user experience.
A Twitter app running on a Nexus One.
The Google Wave version of that same Twitter app, collection data in a forward facing, user friendly manner.
Google has already been talking up its app store for Google Wave; it doesn’t seem like that big of a leap to imagine apps being sold in conjunction across Android and Wave: buy one, get the other for free.
As aways, your thoughts on this or any other ideas are very welcome!
Hudson
