iPhone News Updated

AOL Instant Messenger (free)

This handy application provides a fast and easy way to talk to your peers via AOL’s instant messaging system, as well as buddies on ICQ and .Mac/MobileMe. Already one of the most downloaded applications on the App Store, this program is a simple and straight-forward way to connect to the AIM network with your iPhone.

Upon first launch, the application presents you with three login options: AIM, MobileMe, and .Mac. Once the service is chosen, username and password is entered, you’re presented with your Buddy List groups, which, upon selection, displays your buddies, their availability and their status messages. From the main Buddy List, there are arrows beside your Buddy names that can be tapped, bringing you to a Buddy Info screen. From this screen, you can change their display name, the group they’re associated with, and even add your buddy to a Favorites list for even easier access.

This application uses the swipe gesture to switch between active chats, and the entire app is straight-forward, taking full advantage of the available screen real estate without clutter. This app is easily on my own personal must-have list, especially in light of AT&T’s SMS price-gouging on its new monthly plans. (Just because AT&T isn’t the only carrier to overprice on SMS doesn’t make it any less wrong.)

There are a few caveats, though. AIM doesn’t tie in with your Address Book and it does not run in the background. Once it’s quit, you’re logged off.

Apple is already working on that last issue and is devising a notification API that will allow messages and alerts to be pushed from their servers to a person’s iPhone. That will eventually allow IMs to show up as alerts, just like SMS messages. Another feature this API will bring is the ability to display badges on Home Screen icons — just like Mail does. Once released, this API will provide immediate IM notifications without cutting into battery life or wasting processor cycles, both of which are inherent to background applications. It also showcases Apple’s commitment to making the iPhone a better mobile platform.

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