Open messaging for portable computing devices

A system for pushing of any type of content to a portable computing device, without requiring subscription to a particular Internet service or plan. A messaging repository receives from a source conten that is intended for a recipient. The repository assigns an Internet address to the content, stores the content on a server at that address, and sends the Internet address to the recipient's portable computing device (PCD). The PCD receives the Internet address via its communication device, which checks to see if the PDC is in a reduced-power mode. If so, the communication device initiates a wake-up sequence, and then launches third party application software to connect to the Internet and resolve the address. Once the address has been resolved, the recipient is alerted to the received content, with which the recipient may at that time interact. This interaction is well suited for online auctions, group-buying , sales force management, surveys, and voting. In an alternative embodiment, the repository receives only the Internet address, which it then forwards to the recipient in the same manner.