Those in search of a multi-IM app for the iPhone/iPod Touch will be happy to know that there�s one available, and it�s free. Palringo is an IM app on its own, but it also allows you to connect with the other major players in the IM scene such as Yahoo, Google Talk, AOL, ICQ, iChat, Windows Live Messenger, and a couple of others.

More after the break.

What�s interesting about Palringo is that it’s supposed to provide you with the versatility of a true IM allowing you not only chat, but send pictures as well. It does, to a certain extent. Correspondents using the regular PC IM client won�t exactly receive the images directly, but rather a link will be sent to them where they can view it. You also won’t be able to receive images sent to your mobile Palringo client so it actually a one-sided deal.

There�s also a matter of upload time. While I managed to log-on already and send messages, there were instances that my recipient wasn�t receiving any of the messages I send, but I was already receiving the messages sent to me. After a couple of minutes, all the messages I sent pushed through. So it was actually an issue of having the app connect to the service to deliver the messages I had. It happened twice, but after that initial roadblock, everything worked smoothly.

Is it worth downloading? I would recommend it for those who love being connected 24/7 but are on a bit stingy. Due to the lack of any true alternative, this one is a worthwhile to try out. It�s not perfect, but it�ll get the job done most of the time.