How to register Android ContentObserver for constant monitoring?

Question

I am trying to add functionality to my app to monitor the app's database (via MyContentProvider) for new items. So I've create a MyContentObserver which, as new items are added to the database, will:

1. Update the badge/counter on the app's launcher icon with the number of new items.
2. Store that same integer in SharedPreferences, so it can be accessed by other components of the app (e.g., by Activities/Fragments to display on their UI, and by MyApplication to set the app icon's badge/counter when the device reboots).

I have tried registering MyContentObserver in the onCreate() method of MyApplication, but it does not seem to be a reliable way of doing it.

Whilst trying to research the correct way of doing it, I've seen some SO posts describing how some developers have tried implementing a Service (instead of MyApplication) to meet the objective, but most of these developers are also citing problems.

As there does not appear to be a guide anywhere on this, can someone recommend the proper way to set up a ContentObserver for it to monitor constantly and dependably?