It's getting easier and easier to get third-party applications on the iPhone thanks to a wealth of tools that allow easy package installation and iPhone modification. As less technically-inclined users get more comfortable with installing applications and as developers get more comfortable with UIKit, we keep seeing useful apps pop up for everyday users. Our friends at TUAW have directed our attention to the fact that native (UIKit) applications have been released for instant messaging as well as IRC, both of which should make the iPhone even more useful for any owner.
First up, there's the IRC application, iRCm. While not super polished, it's now described as "usable" by the developers and has basic functionality like chatting, joining channels, and even raw commands. That's pretty good for a new application, and I'm sure we'll see even more about iRCm as development continues.
The IM application, ApolloIM, isn't quite as far along. The project is an attempt to port the libpurple IM library to the iPhone, and is limited to basic AIM functionality for now. Since it's based on libpurple, more services will be added in the future. Still, this application is also shaping up to be very useful for the average iPhone user, especially if you don't want massive text messaging charges on your bill.
Both applications are available for download at their respective project sites, or there are package managers if you don't feel like spending a bunch of time compiling and fooling with applications. Installer.app and new package manager PXL both have packages of iRCm and ApolloIM, so just grab those and feast on the fruits of iPhone UIKit development.
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