When someone brings up the term "iChat" today, younger kids do not understand what they are referring to. Responses like, "Do you mean FaceTime?" or "Are you talking about iMessage?" seem to be common. However, those kids who used Apple computers before 2012, you are a lucky bunch. You got to experience iChat, which is arguably better than Apple's latest programs of FaceTime and iMessage.
First of all, who remembers the multi-person video chats you could have with friends? iChat made it easy to video chat with up to three other people at once. Today, we have to download other software such as Skype or Oovoo to be able to do that. Not to mention, that the cool photo booth effects could be used while on video chat. Now, not only are we able to only FaceTime one person at a time, but we also don't get any cool effects (unless you are video-chatting someone on Snapchat, which is never a truly an efficient way to video call).
Remember when Snapchat used to show people's top three best friends (aka the Golden Ages)? Well, iChat used to have something similar. When people on your buddy list were already in a video-call, their green video icon turned gray and did not allow you to click it. So when two of your friends both had that gray video call icon, you could put the pieces together to conclude they were FaceTiming each other (and usually, you were right).
iChat also featured an option where you could share your screen with someone. In an instant, people could help with homework, fix a problem on your computer, and much more.
And let's not forget the best part; iChat had an option to mark your status as "away." When someone would try to chat you, an automated message would appear notifying them you weren't on iChat at the moment. The automated messages could also be personalized. This definitely eliminated a lot of communication problems people have now. We didn't have to worry if your best friend was ignoring you.
Overall, it's safe to say that while most people love Apple, iChat was one of the best programs that were ever introduced and it is deeply missed.
