Showing Status Bar Notifications An Android

A status bar notification adds an icon to the system’s status bar with an optional ticker-text message and a notification message in the notifications window. When the user selects the notification, usually an Activity is opened. The notification can be configured to alert the user with a sound, a vibration, and flashing lights on the device.http://androidresearch.wordpress.com/2012/03/09/creating-a-preference-activity-in-android/