What is iChat and What is Messages ?

Hi,

iChat is an app of some age now.

It was the forerunner to Messages.

Originally it was an AIM Client - that is to say an app that could allow you to join the AIM service.

At the same time AIM and Apple started an agreement that allowed @mac.com names to be Valid AIM Screen Names.

Over the years this has broadened to included MobileMe IDs at the time and later @me.com IDs that have been linked to iCloud and @icloud.com IDs.

The first version also had Rendezvous - the name to Bonjour back then - that allowed you to chat without set up to other Mac on your LAN with Rendezvous/Bonjour Enabled.

Major Updates.

iChat 2 allowed Video and Audio Chat on a 1:1 basis

iChat 3 added Jabber abilities to the app.

iChat 4 added Video back drops and 4 Way video chat and 10 way Audio Only chats. iChat Theatre was also introduced, as is Screen Sharing.

iChat 6 adds the ability to use the Yahoo service as well. This needs an Actual Yahoo ID (although Buddies can be IDs valid with Yahoo) and only does text Chatting.

Version 7 is where Messages comes in as the Numbering continues at the same point.

This is in Mac OS X 10.8.x

This brings a Chat window that is also the main interface for the App and introduces the iMessages Account as the lead default option.

If you have not used iChat before then Messages will offer you iMessages and Bonjour only.

Neither can be deleted only Signed Out or unticked at the "Enable this Account" box.

iMessages can be with an Apple ID or an iPhone Number on an iPhone.

Version 8 in Mavericks adds the ability to "sync" (Actually only "Display on all Devices" ) to allow the linking of iPhone Number and Apple IDs by allow you to enter the Apple ID on the iPhone which in turn will cause Pop up on the Mac to say what the iPhone is using.

iChat Theatre disappears.

However Invoking FaceTime from an iMessages chat allows Video chat to iPhones and other iOS devices.

In Yosemite (Mac OS X 10.10.x) the version is also called version 8 although there are changes to the app from Mavericks.

Text (SMS) Forwarding is added allowing the Mac to Receive and Send SMS when the Mac and iPhone are on the same LAN.

At the time of writing El Capitan has version 9 of Messages and updates to the Mac OS have also seen a return to subnet numbering of Messages.

Currently it is at version 9.2 at Mac OS X 10.11.4

This means that Messages can join 5 services. Based on the way they were added historically they are:-

AIM

Bonjour
Jabber which includes GoogleTalk

Yahoo

iMessages

iChat 2 through 6 can and will Video chat in the App itself

Messages 7 though 9 (remembering there are two 8s) can also do this.

In the Yosemite Version they also Add the ability to Invoke the Screen Sharing App (like the invocation of FaceTime for Video).

None of the services can be crossed over.

It is AIM to AIM

Jabber to Jabber

or iMessages to iMessages IDs and so on.

Bonjour is LAN only

10:11 pm Monday; April 11, 2016