Question:

I am looking for information about a specific app/web service that was launched around 10 years ago. Its main feature was to allow users to set notifications for various events of their interest, such as new music releases, space missions, or stock market news. Does anyone know the name of this service and whether it is still operational? I appreciate any help or guidance on this topic.

Answer:

Is there an app/web service for event notifications?

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> If you are interested in staying updated on various events of your choice, such as new music releases, space missions, or stock market news, you might be wondering if there is an app or a web service that can notify you when they happen. In this article, we will explore some of the options that are available or were available in the past, and how they work. >
> One of the earliest services that offered event notifications was Hooks, which was launched in 2013. Hooks was an app that allowed users to create custom alerts for over 100 different types of events, such as sports scores, weather, TV shows, concerts, and more. Users could also create their own triggers using webhooks, RSS feeds, or APIs. Hooks claimed to have over 1 million users and 100 million notifications per month at its peak. However, Hooks was shut down in 2017 due to lack of funding and competition from other apps. >
> Another service that provided event notifications was IFTTT, which stands for If This Then That. IFTTT is a web-based platform that connects various apps and devices using conditional statements called applets. Users can create their own applets or use pre-made ones to automate tasks and receive notifications for various events, such as new articles, tweets, emails, calendar events, and more. IFTTT is still active and has over 18 million users and 140 million applets. >
> A more recent service that offers event notifications is Google Alerts, which is a tool that monitors the web for any content that matches a user’s query. Users can set up alerts for any topic they are interested in, such as celebrities, products, brands, or news. Users can choose how often they want to receive notifications, and whether they want them via email or RSS feed. Google Alerts is also still active and has millions of users worldwide. >
> In conclusion, there are several services that can help users stay informed about various events of their interest, either by creating custom alerts or by using existing ones. Some of these services are no longer operational, such as Hooks, while others are still active, such as IFTTT and Google Alerts. Users can choose the service that best suits their needs and preferences, and enjoy the convenience and benefits of event notifications.