Using AIM

You can send instant messages through Skype to another Skype user, but when most people use instant messages, they usually use a dedicated messaging service such as AOL Instant Messenger (AIM). AOL offers two versions of AIM, a free, ad-supported version and a paid version without any ads. Both work identically.

Perhaps the biggest advantage of AIM is that you can send text messages to mobile phone numbers. That way, if you get charged for text messages or go over your text message limit, you can just use AIM to send text messages for free.

To use AIM, you need a MobileMe account (which you need to pay for) or a free AOL or AIM account. (You can set up an AIM account at http://www.aim.com/.) When you tap the AIM icon from the Home screen, ...

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