i guess there could be a system service where you register "please check server x for new messages every y minutes" and the service would handle the queue intelligently to save power?
In real life, apps just leak your passwords into the cloud and send you push notifications. Thats how the average jabber IM on an iphone stays online when the app is in the background.
One of these apps tried to connect to my jabber server even after I deleted it from the phone.
One of these apps tried to connect to my jabber server even after I deleted it from the phone.