Android has had "Sync Adapters" since the beginning, a very cool and powerful framework that allows apps to piggy back off each other's data connections, reducing the number of times the cell modem needs to be fired up for background fetches.

Not a new concept, I'm sure the patent battle lines are already well drawn.

Already patented. You even have the choice of which patent you would like to infringe:

  - Apple: http://www.faqs.org/patents/app/20100227632
  - RIM: http://www.uberphones.com/2010/12/rim-sues-kik-patent-infringement/
  - MS: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/press/2009/mar09/03-25AXIGENPR.aspx