Utilizing the Growl notification system for Mac OS X, Prowl enables users to receive push notifications on their iPhone from any program or script that is running via Growl. It’s a highly extensible solution for notifications. As stated on their site:
Prowl is a Growl client for the iPhone. Notifications from your Mac or Windows computer (see the FAQ) can be sent to your iPhone over push, with a full range of customization and grace you expect. Prowl also features an extensive API, which allows your scripts to integrate beautifully.
Infinitely extensible From getting delivery status notifications to updates on your Torrent subscriptions, Prowl is as expandable as Growl is. Nearly every application under the sun supports Growl, and Prowl supports their message display right along with it. You can browse through the Growl application list, or explore the applications you already use in Growl. The possibilities are endless!
I’ve been using it now for several weeks and… I love it! This is the missing link for the iPhone OS 3.0! Actually, it should be part of the new OS and built in via MobileMe (since a server is required to store notifications - in this case it would be the cloud and always on) as opposed to running on the desktop via Growl. I’m sure Apple will build it in at some point but… for now, this works like a charm.
Currently, my favorite apps I’m using Prowl for alerts are:
1. (Mac) Mail - Even though I’m receiving push notifications for email - which is essentially an audible chime while the device is off and a number added to the iPhone’s Mail badge - Prowl alert notifications flashes a full preview of the email (providing the inbox account name, from name, subject line, and a preview of the body) on screen while the devise is off (as seen in the above screen shot). This is the ultimate convenience for me. Like most people, I have several email accounts so, pre-Prowl, when I heard a chime I would have to unlock the phone, launch Mail, and sift through my four email accounts to figure out which account it came into, who it’s from, and whether or not it’s worth my time to read. Post-Prowl… it’s a freakin’ breeze. All I have to do is look at my iPhone and I get the whole lowdown. Also, since I have my Twitter, Facebook, and FriendFeed accounts set-up for (certain) email alerts, I receive the same notifications for any updates on those social networks. In addition, I also have my top RSS subscriptions in Mail… so, Prowl is configured to do the same for my top RSS feeds. It’s a beautiful thing!
2. Omnifocus - My absolute favorite Getting Things Done (GTD) app. As The Omni Group puts it, it’s: “Professional-grade personal task management”. Ya… there’s an app for that too! And… it’s genius, especially when used in combination with the desktop app. There’s so much to say about OmniFocus, I’ll need to write a separate post and update this one with a link later. (Title draft: “How To: Get Things Done” I’m just thinking off the top of my head here but… I digress.) Needless to say, but the OmniFocus Prowl alerts work as expected and now my GTD process is that much more streamlined.
In essence, I’m getting all my really pertinent information fed to me - on screen - without having to launch a single app. I’m really lovin’ it! It reminds me of how great the alerts were on my pearl… but better. Way better.
While these are just a couple of apps I utilize via Prowl there are many more available with Growl/Prowl support, including several other email and GTD programs. Plus, with the ability to create and run custom scripts… the boundaries are limitless.
Another cool aspect of Prowl is, when launched, it provides a clean list of all notifications that have been sent to the iPhone.
(Not shown here is the ability open each line item for an expanded look at the complete notification)
IRC fans can also find some useful Prowl hacks here.
For those of you unfamiliar with Growl (and are on a Mac) it’s a killer app for desktop notifications. Like Prowl, it’s very useful for email and is uber extensible. Check it out.
Have any other uses for Prowl? Share your thoughts, tips, and tricks below in the comments section.
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I agree. Thre are other solutions but, Prowl IS the best for customized push notifications and expandability. Nice read.