Unleashing Web3 Communication: A Deep Dive into Push Protocol

Introduction

In the ever-evolving landscape of Web3, efficient and decentralized communication is paramount. Whether it's notifying users about a governance proposal, delivering critical DeFi updates, or enabling peer-to-peer interactions, a robust communication protocol is essential. Enter Push Protocol, a groundbreaking blockchain-agnostic decentralized communication protocol that's poised to transform the Web3 experience. In this comprehensive guide, we'll take a deep dive into Push Protocol, exploring its purpose, features, integration, and potential impact on the blockchain ecosystem.

Getting Started

Before we embark on this exploration, let's ensure you're equipped to harness the power of Push Protocol. Push SDK provides an abstraction layer to integrate Push protocol features with your Frontend as well as Backend.

Push SDK is a growing Monorepo of packages that provide solutions for a wide range of development tasks one might come across while building on top of Push protocol. It is a Javascript-based group of packages that helps developers to:

• Send notifications
• Subscribe (opt-in) / Unsubscribe (opt-out)
• Build Push features into their dApps
• Enable Access to Push Nodes APIs
• Render Default Notifications UI, etc

How to use a package from the SDK for sending Notification?

Let's take @pushprotocol/restapi as an example.

Installation

mkdir sdk-quickstart
cd sdk-quickstart
# at sdk-quickstart, hit enter for all if no change from default intended
yarn init 
# or NPM
npm init

If you want to use ES6 Modules syntax then inside package.json set “type” to “module”.

# install the sdk "restapi" package & its peer dependencies in your app
yarn add @pushprotocol/restapi ethers
# or NPM
npm install @pushprotocol/restapi ethers
# create a main.js file
touch main.js

Import Libraries

// import in main.js
import * as PushAPI from "@pushprotocol/restapi";

Receive Notification

// use a feature from restapi package,
// here "getFeeds" gets all the notifications for the user address provided
const main = async() => {
  const notifications = await PushAPI.user.getFeeds({
    user: 'eip155:5:0xD8634C39BBFd4033c0d3289C4515275102423681', // user address in CAIP
    env: 'staging'
  });

  // log the notifications 
  console.log('notifications: \n\n', notifications);
}

main();

Then to run this code open the terminal and type

node main

Key Features

Push Protocol offers a plethora of features that empower developers to revolutionize Web3 communication:

Push Notifications

Introduction

Push Notifications enable any smart contract, dApp, or backend service to send real-time, critical information directly to users' wallet addresses. This feature enhances user engagement and keeps users informed about essential updates.

Why Push Notification?

Push Notification addresses a significant void in the Web3 ecosystem, enhancing the daily experience for blockchain enthusiasts. These notifications and other forms of communication occur off-chain, eliminating the need for users to spend gas, except in cases where a smart contract initiates the communication. In such instances, the smart contract shoulders a slightly higher gas fee to ensure the secure transmission of the payload on the blockchain.

How Push Notification works?

The initial stage in initiating a notification involves the creation of a channel within the Push system, which subsequently becomes an active service operating on the Push Protocol. Every notification originating from a given channel undergoes a verification and signing process conducted by a group of interconnected nodes collectively referred to as the Push Network. For a comprehensive insight into Push Notifications, including its architectural framework, spam prevention mechanisms, and decentralization initiatives, please refer to the detailed explanation in the Understanding Push Notification documentation.

Learn more about Push Notification: push.org/docs/notifications/

Push Chat (Wallet-to-Wallet Chat)

Introduction

Push Chat is a web3 messaging protocol enabling wallet addresses to send and receive messages, without relying on typical personal identifiers like phone numbers or email addresses. It enhances security and privacy, surpassing traditional messaging apps, and enables unique web3 features such as token-gated experiences, anonymous chat, and secure key-based communication.

Why Push Chat?

The Push Chat protocol revolutionizes web3 messaging, offering secure, encrypted communication stored on IPFS for a shared chat experience. It empowers wallet addresses (or other web3 identities like NFTs) with communication capabilities, unlocking native web3 features such as:

• Varied message types (e.g., GIFs, Embeds, Payments)
• Seamless web3 chat integration on your frontend
• Group creation for communities
• Conditional access and message gating
• Re-engagement through push notifications
• Cross-chain compatibility (EVMs, non-EVMs, Wallet addresses, NFT profiles)
• Video/audio calls in direct messages or groups.

How Push Chat works?

All communication from Push Chat is signed and validated by a set of nodes, which are together called Push Network. Read Understanding Push Chat in detail for a detailed explanation of its architecture, spam control, decentralization efforts and more!

Learn more about Push Chat: push.org/docs/chat/

Push Video

Introduction

Push Video is the first wallet-to-wallet video chat that allows web3 users to video chat with each other live. What can you do with Push Video? Well, anything you do with video today. Social chats, business meetings, customer support, streaming, gaming, telehealth, education and coaching — the list goes on.

Why Push Video?

The Push Video SDK enables decentralized wallet-to-wallet video calls, chain-agnostic and adaptable for dApps. It seamlessly integrates with web applications (React, vanilla JavaScript) for various uses like customer support, project collaboration, social networking, and education. Elevating user experiences, ensuring security, and enabling real-time assistance.

How to Get Started with Push Video?

Step 1: Head to app.push.org and connect your MetaMask (or your preferred wallet).

Step 2: Click on “Push Chat” on the left navigation bar. Search for the recipient you want to video call with their wallet address or their ENS name.*

Step 3: Start a video call using the camera/video icon on the right side of the screen.

**Note*: You need to be friends before making a call. You can do this by starting a text conversation first. Once the other person accepts your message request, you’re all set to have a safe & secure video call.

Real-World Use Cases

Push Protocol's versatility shines through in real-world applications, enabling developers to enhance various aspects of the blockchain ecosystem:

• DeFi Notifications: DeFi protocols can send notifications about changes in liquidity pool status, interest rate updates, flash loan executions, or governance proposals. Users can receive instant alerts on their wallets, enhancing their ability to make informed decisions promptly. This improves the overall user experience, transparency, and engagement within DeFi platforms.
• Governance and Voting: Decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) and governance platforms can send notifications regarding upcoming votes, proposals, and voting results directly to users' wallet addresses. This ensures that users are actively engaged in governance activities, promoting decentralized decision-making and increasing the participation of token holders.
• Marketplace Updates: Decentralized marketplaces, such as NFT platforms or decentralized exchanges, can use Push Protocol to keep users informed about new listings, bids, offers, and successful trades. Buyers and sellers can receive instant notifications about their marketplace activities.

In conclusion, Push Protocol represents a paradigm shift in Web3 communication. Its innovative features, blockchain-agnostic nature, and commitment to decentralization are poised to reshape the way we interact with decentralized applications and services. By embracing the Push Protocol, developers have the tools to create engaging, interactive, and user-friendly blockchain applications. The potential for enhanced transparency, user engagement, and real-time communication in the Web3 ecosystem is immense, and Push Protocol is leading the way. The future of decentralized communication starts here, and it's an exciting journey to be a part of.

About Push Protocol

Learn more about Push: push.org

Learn how to integrate Push features into your dApp: docs.push.org

Join the Push Protocol Discord community

To keep up-to-date with Push Protocol: Website, Twitter, Telegram, YouTube, and Linktree.