Pushing, Pulling and Shoving Over iPhone Applications

Apple’s presentation at WWDC of an alternate approach to background processes for the iPhone, compared to Microsoft’s ActiveSync, has implications for both developers and users. It requires developers to invest in new systems and takes away some of their direct control of the iPhone, but it also improves the user experience and allows Apple to develop an enterprise revenue stream. Historically, many smartphones have used background processes to respond to external push notifications and e-mail.