Apple Push Notifications: the ultimate Twitter-friend test
A standard iPhone notification window
Now that we know what’s taken Apple so long to roll out its Push Notification Service (PNS), we can begin to look forward to all the new functionality it will bring to the iPhone. One of the most disruptive features that the PNS will enable is the ability to be notified of Twitter updates directly through iPhone’s standard notifications – all courtesy of iPhone Twitter apps such as Tweetie, TwitterFon, Twinkle, or all the other Twitter clients available in the App Store (iTunes links). What does this mean for iPhone-using Twitterrers? It means that Twitter updates delivered via SMS/text message are a thing of the past. It also means instant Twitter updates. And herein lies the rub.
Given that Twitter users follow more than a handful of other Twitter users, it would seem problematic to receive all the updates of different Twitterrers at the same time – especially if the Tweets are in the form of an iPhone notification – it would be like getting 20-30 text messages at the same time. In fact, it can very quickly lead to information overload – which in itself can cause headaches, screams for desperation, and the much-feared technology addiction so many of us try to avoid. In either case, instant push notifications to the iPhone will cause a big shift in Twitter usage – leading users to carefully select which Twitter users’ updates they would like to be notified of on their phone instantaneously. And from then on, the usage scenarios will get very interesting and – dare I say – new: whose Tweets will I pick as a Twitter user to be delivered to me at any time? Why will I pick that particualar Twitter user? What is that perfect Tweet-to-notification balance for a Twitter to be on my instant-notification list?
What’s so colossal here? It’s not immediately apparent – but its the fact that Twitter users will now carefully pick whose updates are actually important enough to interrupt them throughout the day via an iPhone pop-up notification. In that regard, I can see only a few Twitterrers per user being on this super-important “instant update” list and these users will have higher levels of interaction with those who get their updates. The opportunities for companies and organizations to market real-time (such as last-minute promotions) is greatly increased as well.
What do you think? Will the ability to get instant push notifications of Twitter updates to your iPhone change your following habits? Will you follow only certain people or will you allow only the updates of a few be pushed to you and thus give them the ability to interrupt you in whatever you’re doing? Talk to me in the comments.
PS: the ability to receive push notifications via the Apple Push Notification Service will save money for the user (no SMS charges to worry about) and Twitter (same here – only for outgoing). The carriers are the ones to suffer here. I know this last piece brings tons of joy to some.
Posted in Microblogging, Social Networking, Twitter, iPhone
5 comments to “Apple Push Notifications: the ultimate Twitter-friend test”
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8. May 2009 at 9:44 am :
I think that with several options, it won’t change too many folks. If they’d have a “push on” and “push off” option (so people wouldn’t go crazy with night notifications), that would need to be an easy one-button thing. Then, maybe an option with how you’re notified….like push to email OR simple a little number appearing so you could view notifications. Maybe an on and off notification noise OPTION. I think having enough choices to “make it your own” will work best for everyone!
8. May 2009 at 12:47 pm :
Options are important, no doubt. It would be nice – like you said – to have control over the notifications. I’m thinking that this would be implemented on the application level – Tweetie, for example, would be where a user would turn push notifications on or off, or select whose notifications are pushed, and whose aren’t.
But like I wrote in the post, don’t you think that it will make people pick whose updates are actually pushed and whose updates aren’t? For example, I might choose to have @lizettegagne’s updates pushed to me over someone else. And this is what will really make people think (for a change) about who they’re following, instead of just following random people. What do you think?
10. May 2009 at 5:06 am :
Definitely yes! I’m new to Twitter and have already stopped following NASA (which I was estatic to find) bc of the tons of updates! I can’t imagine pushing that to my email or texting!!
10. February 2010 at 7:37 pm :
Great article! I'm a little skeptical of the value for Twitter. After all, it will just tell you that new information is available and let you tap OK to launch your app. Why not just launch your app and see the new info yourself. Especially if you have a real easy way to get a quick update, like TvvitterBug's "double-tap" instant update feature. You just double-tap the title bar of any view you're on at you get an instant update. Works with "Home", "Direct Messages", "Mentions", everything. I think that's a lot better than constantly being interrupted by "you've got a push notification" popups all the time. Besides, doesn't it take like 15 mins or so to even get the notification? Why wait when you can simply double-tap and get them now? Sounds to me like a lot less steps and a more timely fashion to ultimately get the same thing.
11. February 2010 at 3:59 am :
That's interesting, will need to try it out… although regarding push notifications – those are instant – as per my personal experience!