These cloud-based services provide mechanisms for sending push notifications to a variety of platforms, including mobile devices (iOS and Android), email, and SMS. One system, offered by Amazon, leverages a publish/subscribe (pub/sub) model for distributing messages. The other, provided by Microsoft, is designed to handle sending personalized, cross-platform mobile push notifications at scale. Both assist developers in reaching a wide audience with timely and relevant information.
Their significance lies in enabling direct communication with users, fostering engagement, and facilitating immediate updates. They allow for real-time information delivery, crucial for applications ranging from e-commerce and social media to emergency alerts and financial services. Historically, managing push notifications required complex infrastructure and platform-specific code; these services abstract that complexity, allowing developers to focus on application logic rather than notification delivery plumbing.