4 ms·

So, the problem is that the app itself can't run (reliably) in the background to respond to key-exchange requests? It looks like iOS apps aren't allowed networ

So, the problem is that the app itself can't run (reliably) in the background to respond to key-exchange requests? It looks like iOS apps aren't allowed network connections when in the background[0]. So would another platform with fewer restrictions on background processes (e.g. Android?) be able to perform key-exchange while the app is backgrounded? (forgot the link:) [0]: https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/documentation/iPhone/Conceptual/iPhoneOSProgrammingGuide/ManagingYourApplicationsFlow/ManagingYourApplicationsFlow.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40007072-CH4-SW47 https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/documentation/iPhone...

jbrechtel 13y ago
Not really...you'd still need to be online which isn't always the case.
- jeffbr13 13y ago
  But surely you must have enough connectivity for a key-exchange to take place (most of the time) if you're able to receive push notifications in the first place?
  - nthj 13y ago
    iOS push notifications are about one idea: power management. By forcing all servers to communicate to their apps through one channel, the actual iOS hardware only needs to maintain one connection: the connection to Apple's servers. The alternative is that 3, or 8, or dozens of apps all maintain separate connections to their own motherships, which drains a device's battery like a mynock with a case of the munchies.
    - zcif 13y ago
      i guess there could be a system service where you register "please check server x for new messages every y minutes" and the service would handle the queue intelligently to save power?
      - pampa 13y ago
        In real life, apps just leak your passwords into the cloud and send you push notifications. Thats how the average jabber IM on an iphone stays online when the app is in the background. One of these apps tried to connect to my jabber server even after I deleted it from the phone.
mahyarm 13y ago
Actually you can have time limited connections with VoIP socket background processing mode. IOS 7 also has some new push features that cover one corner case that VoIP sockets didn't cover.

jbrechtel 13y ago

Not really...you'd still need to be online which isn't always the case.

jeffbr13 13y ago
But surely you must have enough connectivity for a key-exchange to take place (most of the time) if you're able to receive push notifications in the first place?
- nthj 13y ago
  iOS push notifications are about one idea: power management. By forcing all servers to communicate to their apps through one channel, the actual iOS hardware only needs to maintain one connection: the connection to Apple's servers. The alternative is that 3, or 8, or dozens of apps all maintain separate connections to their own motherships, which drains a device's battery like a mynock with a case of the munchies.
  - zcif 13y ago
    i guess there could be a system service where you register "please check server x for new messages every y minutes" and the service would handle the queue intelligently to save power?
    - pampa 13y ago
      In real life, apps just leak your passwords into the cloud and send you push notifications. Thats how the average jabber IM on an iphone stays online when the app is in the background. One of these apps tried to connect to my jabber server even after I deleted it from the phone.

mahyarm 13y ago

Actually you can have time limited connections with VoIP socket background processing mode. IOS 7 also has some new push features that cover one corner case that VoIP sockets didn't cover.