Messages is iMessage for Mac - Apple's replacement for iChat as OS X 10.8 moves ever closer to iOS with the release of Mountain Lion. Apart from releasing a developer preview of OS X 10.8 "Mountain Lion", Apple released Messages at the same time which is basically iMessage for OS X.
Firstly, note that if you install Messages, it replaces iChat although Apple has assured that iChat services will continue to work. In a further move towards iOS, Messages provides better integration with iMessage on iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch running iOS 5.
Some of the benefits include unlimited iMessages to these devices, the ability to start a conversation on your Mac and then continue it on your iOS device and launch FaceTime video calls. You can also send photos, videos, attachments, contacts, locations, and more.
You can also connect Messages to other chat protocols. It supports AIM, Yahoo!, Google Talk, and Jabber accounts.
If you want iMessage for Mac then Messages brings OS X and iOS one step closer to make sure you can always keep in contact with your friends and family.
