Apple Computer previewed iChat last May. The client features a Aqua interface, allowing seamless instant messaging between Mac.com members, AOL members and AIM users. Mac users can use their existing Mac.com names with iChat or get a free Mac.com name in seconds if they don't already have one.

An e-mail marketing message from Apple received by InstantMessagingPlanet said that iChat is "both easy to use and more fun than the competition."

AIM, AOL Buddy List and Mac.com users can use their existing screen name or "handle." The Mac OS X version of iChat allows users to quickly see and change their online status and communicate with buddies from the menu bar. The Mail application in Mac OS X shows online status of buddies, allowing users to instantly turn e-mail exchanges into real time chats. And, the new system-wide Address Book manages buddy information including name, handle and photo along with the rest of their contact information.

The iChat client uses "dialogue bubbles" and buddy photos to present instant messages in a graphically conversational manner. iChat invitations pop on the screen in a simple and non-intrusive way using transparency and animation effects. Apple iChat users can even chat with other users on Ethernet or AirPort networks.

The move greatly broadens the number of people Apple Jaguar users can instant message -- AIM has more than 150 million registered users and counting. Apple even has AOL's blessing in developing the client.

It is important to note that AOL -- a wholly owned subsidiary of AOL Time Warner -- already has two Mac-compatible clients for AIM usage -- one that's Mac OS X compatible, and one for users of Mac OS 9 and earlier.

All of the other major public IM networks, ICQ, MSN Messenger and Yahoo Messenger, have Mac OS-compatible clients as well. Of those, MSN Messenger and Yahoo Messenger have OS X-specific clients.

Back to Jaguar -- the new OS also includes a new Mail application designed to eliminate junk mail, a system-wide Address Book, Inkwell handwriting recognition, QuickTime 6 with MPEG-4, an enhanced Finder, Sherlock 3 with Internet Services and Apple's Rendezvous home networking technology. Mac OS X v10.2 "Jaguar" will be publicly available August 24 for a suggested retail price of $129. The standard Mac OS Up-To-Date upgrade package is available for $19.95 to all customers who purchase a new Mac system on or after July 17 that do not have Mac OS X v10.2 installed.

Mac OS X v10.2 Jaguar requires a minimum of 128MB of memory and is designed to run on the following Apple products: iMac, iBook, Power Macintosh G3, Power Mac G4, Power Mac G4 Cube and any PowerBook introduced after May 1998.

Bob Woods is the managing editor of InstantMessagingPlanet.