Update: I have been playing around with the app. It's kind of great. You get real time, chat responses from the concierge as though you are texting on the phone, but since you're logged into your account through the app, no need to verify your identity, etc. It seems to be well integrated into the iphone software - you have to enter in a passcode to access the app much in the way you do when your iphone is locked. I asked the concierge to help us plan a trip to Newport over the summer with suggestions for activities, mansion tours, and dining recs. There is also a "call" option on the upper right part of the screen that presumably will connect you with the concierge.

The notifications show up on the iphone like text messages.