Chat with your iPhone

The ability to chat, or text back and forth in real time, is so ubiquitous that many offices keep employees connected through instant messaging. lt's a natural fit for the iPhone because your chats happen in real time without using minutes or bothering fellow train riders with audible ringtones or chatter But the iChat on the iPhone is disappointing. There's an app with promise called Palringo that aims to link up with all the major chat programs, including the biggest one—AIM- but it's currently buggy and requires desktop computer software. For now, stick with the official AIM software, free in the App Store.