Boxcar - iOS Push Notifications

Boxcar 4.0: A Comprehensive Push Notification Solution for iOS

A significant update, version 4.0, has been released for Boxcar, solidifying its position as a leading push notification application designed for iOS devices – encompassing iPhones, iPod Touches, and iPads. Boxcar has been available for some time and continues to grow in user base.

Enhanced User Experience and Core Philosophy

This latest iteration introduces a refined user interface and overall aesthetic. Boxcar operates under the guiding principle of "speed," striving to deliver push notifications with maximum efficiency and minimal delay.

Understanding Push Notification Apps

What exactly constitutes a "Push" application? These apps function as an intermediary, connecting to services like Twitter, Facebook, RSS feeds, email accounts, and Growl to deliver immediate alerts to your device. For instance, a notification is instantly sent to your phone whenever someone mentions your username on Twitter, a Facebook message arrives, or a new article is published on a blog you follow.

Upon initial setup, Boxcar presents users with a selection of compatible applications. Currently, the supported applications include:

• Google Buzz
• App Recommendations
• Google Voice
• Twitter
• Email Account
• Facebook
• OMGFacts
• Twitter List/Search/Trends
• RSS/Atom
• Github
• Growl

Service Integration and Customization

These applications seamlessly integrate with Boxcar to facilitate push notifications. Within each service, often referred to as a provider, you can define the preferred application to handle the alert upon receipt. As an example, with Facebook, you can select the mobile website, the native Facebook application, or another available option.

While Twitter and Facebook now incorporate built-in push notification functionality within their respective clients, Boxcar provides a valuable solution for receiving alerts from other services. It offers a direct and immediate notification method, displaying a popup when new information becomes available. For those who require constant updates, these push notifications are invaluable for staying informed.

Availability and Features

Boxcar itself is available as a free download from the App Store [No Longer Available]. An option exists to remove advertisements for a one-time fee of $4.99, although advertisements are infrequent. The application also allows users to schedule "Quiet hours," during which notifications are suppressed, ensuring uninterrupted rest.

Choosing Boxcar over native app push notifications involves a trade-off. While potentially sacrificing some ease of use, you gain greater control over the source and content of your alerts. Furthermore, it centralizes notification management, simplifying the process compared to adjusting individual app settings.

Expanding Boxcar's Notification Capabilities

A notable feature of Boxcar is its extensibility, allowing users to integrate notifications from various services and applications. For developers, Boxcar offers a comprehensive API for creating custom providers to deliver alerts directly to your device.

However, even without programming knowledge, incorporating custom notifications remains achievable.

Utilizing the Boxcar Email Integration

Boxcar’s email integration enables the creation of multiple "email" providers, effectively sending alerts to your phone. A unique email address is generated within Boxcar, triggering an alert with the email subject line whenever a new message arrives.

This functionality allows web applications with email notification options to deliver push notifications through Boxcar.

Leveraging Email Filters for Enhanced Notifications

For Gmail users, or those utilizing email providers that support filtering, Filters can be powerfully employed to route notifications via Boxcar. For instance, Google Voice text messages can be forwarded to Boxcar using this approach.

Forwarding Growl Notifications

Furthermore, Growl desktop notification messages can be forwarded to Boxcar. Having previously discussed Growl, users can now extend those notifications to their mobile devices if desired.

The potential for notification integration with Boxcar is vast. Its open framework and user-friendly design facilitate easy setup, while simultaneously offering substantial power when exploring new notification types.

Boxcar has already processed 500 million notifications and continues to experience significant growth. Share your unique Boxcar applications in the comments below!