Sure, the iPod touch is capable of receiving push notifications, but one developer is warning its costumers that it isn’t exactly the most useful feature for the device.

Powerybase, the developer of the push notification app in waiting NotifyMe, has posted what we will call a “heads up” to all of its customers.

They claim to have been receiving tons of questions regarding whether or not the iPod touch (first or second generation) is supported by NotifyMe, since the app is heavily based on push notifications.  To answer that question, yes it is fully supported, but the catch is that you won’t be receiving your notifications on time.

The problem with the iPod touch’s ability to receive push notifications is not only that it must rely on a Wi-Fi connection to receive the alerts, but it also doesn’t constantly check for the alerts while locked or asleep.  The first issue is obvious, but the second one many iPod touch owners may not have been aware of.  Powerybase assumes that because Wi-Fi chips consume more battery power than cellular network chips, Apple chose to have the device only check for push notifications every 15 minutes.

Documented on Apple support pages, “iPhone OS 3.0: About Apple Push Notification Service”, article HT3576:

“When the iPod touch screen is on and has a Wi-Fi connection, push notifications are received at any time. If the iPod touch screen is asleep, it will check every 15 minutes for a notification.”

A 15 minute delay on a push notification may not be that important for things like game challenges or sports scores, but it could be the difference between making and missing an appointment or receiving an important message too late.

It’s not to say that push isn’t useful on the iPod touch, it’s that you shouldn’t depend on it for important messages because it just isn’t reliable.  Just consider it a fair warning to all of you iPod touch users out there from a concerned developer.