Ping! is an iDevice to iDevice messaging application (similar to BlackBerry Messenger on Blackberry smartphones) that makes use of Apple’s Push Notification service, and is said to be a replacement for SMS or other IM clients. Ping! uses data from a 3G/EDGE or WiFi connection rather than SMS messages, and therefore can potentially save users a lot of money.

RussianiPhone.ru is claiming that they have not only played around with a beta version of firmware 2.2.1, but that it finally includes support for the long awaited push notifications.

Their “proof” comes in the form of a screenshot (right) that displays an update badge on the Notes and Calendar apps. Sadly, no one else has seen a beta for iPhone firmware 2.2.1, leaving this rumor a bit suspect. Plus, it’s quite easy to add a badge to an app’s icon, thus, a potentially doctored image is far from proof.

This rumor might be false, but Apple still needs to get back on task with the push notifications.