Android, iOS, (Windows Phone, Blackberry, etc) have services where a server application can push a small data packet to a specific device. That device wakes an

Android, iOS, (Windows Phone, Blackberry, etc) have services where a server application can push a small data packet to a specific device. That device wakes an application in response which can then do things. We use this right now in our mobile apps. The apps respond by calling back to FastMail to check for updates. More info: http://blog.fastmail.com/2014/12/02/dec-3-push-it-real-good/ http://blog.fastmail.com/2014/12/02/dec-3-push-it-real-good/ https://developer.android.com/google/gcm/index.html https://developer.android.com/google/gcm/index.html https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/documentation/NetworkingInternet/Conceptual/RemoteNotificationsPG/Chapters/ApplePushService.html https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/documentation/Networ...