MAC & WIN CROSS-PLATFORM CHAT APPLICATIONS

Connect In Real-Time To Friends With iChat, Messenger, Skype, ISPQ Video Chat, Camfrog & More

SKYPE FOR MACINTOSH <-> WINDOWS:

Skype is one of the most reliable cross-platform video conferencing apps: It isn't just for free & very low-cost long distance Mac VOIP voice calling. Check out and download the 2.8 version of Skype for Mac which now supports PC <-> Mac video chat options. Many iChatAV users experience problems trying to video conference with Windows AOL Instant Messenger users, so Skype is worth trying as an alternate. Skype's ability to upload your address book contacts and search their directory for pals helps build a buddy list quickly at Skype. Again: Only the 2.7 and 2.8 versions of Mac Skype supports Video functions - so get and stay current. At the Skype Store they list 4 OSX compatible High Quality video webcams for Mac to make the clearest, sharpest, Skype video calls yet.

APPLE iCHAT AV <-> AOL INSTANT MESSENGER:

iChat is preinstalled on every Mac. Great video quality and features, but LACKS COMMUNITY. You're on your own to find and build your own Pal-Buddy List from friends @aol.com and @mac.com accounts - But with AOL's AIM cross-platform compatibility has a HUGE user-base of AOL Instant Messenger folks to chat with. Get A Free AOL ScreenName Here to get started. Full support of text, voice, video and and now - file & screen-sharing with the latest OSX 10.5 Leopard iChatAV version. [FYI: If you get errors trying to do video chat, especially with with PC users, it's often because of Router, Firewall or Internet Security Blocking software far more common on the PC end. Try Skype instead.)
Looking for new iChat Pals? For general "Upscale Social & Professional Networking" as they call it: www.iChatFinder.com Or, check out www.iChatters.com for finding video chat pals from the Gay, Lesbian & Alternative GLBT communities.

ISPQ VIDEOCHAT <-> MAC & PC:

Unlike many chat apps, ISPQ VIDEO CHAT has an INTEGRATED COMMUNITY: You can browse profiles & member pics, text message with still images and audio clips - and optionally video chat: 1 on 1 or Multi-party. Community is a key feature sorely missing from some other standalone Mac chat apps. Offers both 'Nice' Social as well as Frisky Adult chat rooms you can browse - Not for the kiddies. A commercial app that offers a free 21-day trial to test drive. This is a Fully-Featured cross-platform videoconferencing program the Apple & PC platform has - in most aspects - what iChat ought to be.
[FYI: ISPQ's parent, NanoCom used to license out it's video conferencing code. The still VERY popular iCUii software once used it and was both Mac & Windows compatible. A fallout with NanoComm led iCUii to rewrite its app from scratch for PC-only. NanoCom morphed its code into ISPQ - and continues to provide a truly cross-platform videoconference app - for all of us.] Using Boot Camp, VM-Ware or Parallels: Mac users on Intel might try Windows PC options to give iCUii a looksee.

YAHOO MESSENGER 3 MAC:

Recent improvements to the latest v.3 beta version of Yahoo! Messenger Mac for OSX helps. Large community of users since anyone @yahoo.com can potentially video-conference. Yahoo also recently added the ability to chat with MSN Messenger folk @msn.com and @hotmail.com. And lastly, Y Messenger FINALLY supports audio during video connections - long, long overdue.

MSN MESSENGER 8 MAC:

For years, Microsoft MSN Messenger for Macintosh didn't supported video AT ALL. The least capable Mac chat program; for text only and exchanging files, but has a huge userbase. Last year they added cross-platform compatibility with @yahoo.com buddies, so you can add Yahooers to your Messenger pal list now. Microsoft recently added video support in the NEW Messenger v8 for Mac BETA . Until this release there were two alternate MSN clones for Mac that try to do video; Mercury Messenger and AMSN you might want to check out. Both seems somewhat-flakey and sorta fail to deliver a commercial quality Messenger video compatible application solution.

CAMFROG FOR OS X AND WINDOWS:

Only takes minutes to download the free version of CamFrog, set up an account, and start stumbling through rooms full of people! It works, it's fun - and overwhelming sometimes. CamFrog makes it a little too easy to drown in overlapping windows but it's very approachable for first-time video chatters to get connected quickly. Camfrog - now at version 1.8 works behind all firewalls, routers, and wireless networks avoiding some of the 'gotcha's' that can cause videoconferencing problems in homes or business.

LOGITECH VID - SIGHTSPEED FOR MAC AND PC:

Recently acquired by webcam powerhouse Logitech - SightSpeed offers both PC/Mac versions of it's software. The free version supports 1 on 1 connections, and you can optionally pay to upgrade to multi-party versions or - much like Skype - buy credits for US or Global IP based calling. Now rolled into Logitech's high-quality cross-platform chat with VID HD.

OoVoo VIDEO MESSAGING FOR MAC:

With ooVoo for Mac, you can connect with anyone, anytime with video calls, phone, text and more. Some of ooVoo's features: Video Calling - connect with up to 6 people. Friends who don't have ooVoo can video call you from their Web browser. Video Chat Room lets you embed a video chat in any website, blog or social network. High Resolution Video Call Recording.Video Messages to send a greeting to multiple people at once. Like Skype ooVoo is free for basic functions, but has pay-for calling-connect features too.

IVISIT FOR MAC AND PC:

Somewhat outdated, iVisit has been around a long time: its roots go all the way back to the dawn of video conferencing, shortly after CUSeeme made it even possible over a dial-up modem. It just hasn't kept up with modern day interface enhancements. It has 'Rooms' you can join, browse who's online, participate in group chat, private message, and video 1:1... but its confusing interface feels like a Programmer who doesn't understand a consumer's needs wrote it.

FLASH ENABLED VIDEO CHAT IN YOUR BROWSER:

Adobe's Flash Player Plug-In has long supported webcam and microphone capture and is used on many websites for web-based videochat rooms. Be sure to check Flash Player's SETTINGS options to choose your particular video or microphone source. For the best web-video experience, you want to be current on the latest version of the free Flash plug-in -- and Safari or Firefox.

OSX COMPATIBLE VIDEO CAPTURE, CONVERT, SECURITY + SURVEILLENCE, FTP WEBCAM APPS

There's some notable Freeware, Shareware and Pay-For video and camera utilities to get the most from your webcam: Video converters to prep clips for iPod like ISQUINT, HANDBRAKE & VIDDYUP! Capture programs like BEAR'S HAND & BTV Pro. Webcam Security and time-lapse surveillance apps with FTP uploading like BOINX iSTOPMOTION, KEYCAMX, Ben Bird's SECURITY SPY, Evological EVOCAM and EyeCon Technologies IMAGECASTER.

Some of the most useful add-on webcam utilities come from ecamm.com. They sell iUSBCAM which enables iChat USB video support on older Macs - and the highly recommended iGLASSES which allows you to adjust colors, brightness, zoom and more on both external webcams or a built-in iSight camera as well. Just some of many great Mac webcam programs all worth mentioning.