September 30 - 10:15am EDT   AOL has released the first public beta of a new AIM for Mac client, the first major update since February of 2004. In the new software, users have access to AIM Expressions, allowing them to customize their AIM sounds, wallpaper, emoticon set and Buddy Icon. AOL is also looking to implement some of the more popular features from other versions of AIM, such as file transfers, tabbed conversations, AIM Groups, and AIM Blast. [full story]

August 27 - 3:05pm EDT   Adium, the multi-service instant messaging client for the Mac, has been upgraded to v1.3. The update is said to contain several important changes, including "major" performance improvements, noticeable when Adium is signed into multiple services simultaneously, or when apps with intense hard drive demands are running in the background. The client has also been given a redesigned Get Info window, now known as the Contact Inspector; it has a completely revised interface, and changes how combined contacts are displayed and managed. [full story]

August 27 - 11:20am EDT   BeeJive, creators of a popular Blackberry IM client, is in the process of creating a port for the iPhone. The Boy Genius Report, which has had access to the beta version, says that the IM client supports all the most popular IM protocols and does so in a "very clean interface." The company has also already added in background notification support so as soon as Apple starts that services BeeJive will be ready. The software is still in the beta stages and BGR is unsure of when it will move out of beta and into the App Store; the cost of the application is still unknown as well. [full story]

July 29 - 10:05am EDT   Palringo says that it has brought its self-named instant messaging client (iTunes link) to the iPhone. In contrast to apps such as AIM, Palringo is able to interact with several different IM platforms, including not just AIM but iChat, Yahoo, ICQ and Google Talk, as well as less common options such as Jabber and Gadu Gadu. Contacts from all networks are presented in a single list. [full story]

July 11 - 10:45am EDT   Early experience with the iPhone 2.0 firmware is cause for optimism, says analyst Shaw Wu of American Technology Research. Wu explains that like hosts of others, AmTech was able to download and install the v2.0 firmware in advance on Thursday, in turn enabling the installation of software from the iTunes App Store. Wu notes that over 500 applications were available for the App Store's debut, and that this number should eventually extend into the thousands. [full story]

July 2 - 3:15pm EDT   Instant messaging can be a great way to communicate with friends and co-workers in real-time. While most Mac users rely on iChat, which comes with every Mac, many PC users rely on Windows Live Messenger (formerly called MSN Messenger). Not only does Live Messenger connect to Yahoo’s messaging network, it’s also the default network for Xbox 360 users. If you want to chat with users on any of the above networks, Microsoft's Messenger for Mac 7.01 might be of interest. [full story]

June 27 - 7:10am EDT   Microsoft on Thursday took the wraps off Microsoft Messenger 7.0.1 for Mac. Designed to offer improved compatibility with Office Communications Server 2007 for OS X, Microsoft also integrated a number of bug fixes. Version 7.0.1 sees a resolution to user interface issues when using European languages and also improved support for the 'VoiceOver' feature. Messenger still offers users with a 'Windows Live' account the ability to chat with family, friends or co-workers, and share files across the internet. Compatibility with Apple's Bonjour technology was also implemented, allowing improved connections to other users on the same local-area-network. Messenger 7.0.1, a Universal ... [full story]