iPhone users will need iTunes account

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Apple will require iPhone purchasers to have an active iTunes Store account, in order to set-up their device.

This information was announced in an email to US customers who had signed-up for information when the iPhone ships last night. The email describes a number of features to the product, and warns prospective customers that they should open an iTunes account if they do not already have one.

Many have questioned why this ID is required, but given the iTunes application's increasing status for managing more than just your music, it's likely to be predicated on the basis that many users will want to play iTunes purchases on their iPhone.

Another possible scenario is that Apple wants to ensure a certain level of security for user's data, address book contacts, images and other information that shall be carried by the iPhone - and passed across to that device from within iTunes.

The iPhone email also confirms the device will be able to import contact information from Address Book, Entourage, Outlook, Outlook Express, or Yahoo! Address Book, and grab schedule reminders from iCal, Entourage, or Outlook. Users will also be able to enter contacts directly.