The new 1.0 version of Apollo IM, the first native instant messaging client for the iPhone, offers an interface and support for the ICQ and MSN instant messaging protocols, in addition to preexisting AOL instant messenger support—delivering communications beyond any individual network’s limits.

Testers at iPhone Atlas report that the application worked relatively well, offering an interface far more responsive than any of the Web-based solutions tested thus far and allowing participation in multiple conversations.

However, they also suggest that the software still has some significant bugs. They report that “in some instances, the keyboard is not displayed if the user goes to the home screen then returns to an active chat; scrolling through the buddy list sometimes displays graphic artifacts, or scrolling does not work as expected; and the application crashed a few times, necessitating a reset of the iPhone, during routine usage (especially when attempting to sign on).”

Apollo IM is currently listed under the “Featured” section in Installer.app.