SimpleService.kt

class SimpleService : Service() {
  companion object {
    @JvmStatic fun launchService(context: Context) {
      context.startService(Intent(context, SimpleService::class.java))
    }
  }
  override fun onBind(intent: Intent?): IBinder {
    return Binder()
  }

  override fun onStartCommand(intent: Intent?, flags: Int, startId: Int): Int {
    thread { connectToServer() }
    return START_NOT_STICKY
  }
  
  private fun connectToServer() { 
    // Setup persistent connection to server here...
  }
}