United hopes that consistent information sharing and mobile digital services will improve its relationship with passengers. They can't hurt, but this doesn't even begin to address United's core problems, which are leadership and competence.
The introduction of the Apple Watch has benefited all digital platforms by inspiring smart companies to re-think the mobile interface. SIA clearly used the opportunity to provide useful functions for its passengers, regardless of what mobile device they rely on when they travel.
Publishers control how many push notifications they can send, but they can't control how many publishers users subscribe to. Over-subscription will make push notifications less effective and annoying.
Technology may not address all our air travel needs, but improvements which take the hassle out of getting there and back, with our luggage in tact, are surely welcome.