Another kidult gadget, the IMfree lets instant messengers roam almost anywhere around the house — up to 150 feet from an Internet-connected PC and base station — so kids can chat with up to six buddies at a time from the comfort of ... wherever. Best of all, with the home computer in less demand, other family members can get their work done at the same time. Parents can control when the IMfree device can be used and which chat invitations can be accepted. Big families can support up to seven handsets with one base station. There are no wires to string, and no additional monthly fees because it works with a free AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) account — you don΄t even have to be an AOL subscriber. Getting started is easy, too, because it uses current AIM Buddy Lists.