Along with the release announcement Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, Apple also launched the Messages beta application for Mac OS X, an application that allows us to communicate with any iDevices through the iMessages system. It has been rumored for a long time that this application would be available for Mac and now Apple has launched it. Considering that it is available in beta version, you must expect that the functionality will not be perfect, but for now you can use it for free.
You can download the Messages Beta application available here. Practically, the new application is a much improved iChat that offers both the functionality of iChat and the possibility of using an email address or a phone number to talk to iDevice owners. Through Messages Beta you can send unlimited photos, videos and messages, but initially you can even make FaceTime calls if you have a Mac equipped with a web camera.
Download Messages Beta and get a taste of what's coming in OS X Mountain Lion. When you install Messages, it replaces iChat. But iChat services will continue to work. And Messages brings iMessage to the Mac — just like on iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch running iOS 5. Here are the features you can expect with Messages:
- Send unlimited iMessages to any Mac, iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch.*
- Start an iMessage conversation on your Mac and continue it on your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch.
- Send photos, videos, attachments, contacts, locations, and more.
- Launch a FaceTime video call and bring the conversation face-to-face.
- Messages supports iMessage, AIM, Yahoo!, Goo
