The iPhone software that connects and synchronizes the device to a personal computer won't run on 64-bit editions of Windows Vista, according to a posting on Apple's Web site.
The post indicates that the iPhone software will, aside from the Mac OS, operate only on PCs running 32-bit versions of Windows Vista or Windows XP. It notes that "64-bit versions of Windows are not supported."
The information is buried in a technical support page deep within Apple's Web site.
Apple's more prominently displayed iPhone system requirements page states that the device's software will run on the Home Premium, Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate versions of Windows Vista. No mention is made of 64-bit incompatibility -- even though all the versions of Vista listed by Apple are available in 64-bit editions.
Among other things, 64-bit operating systems give users more addressable memory space with which to work -- making it easier for them to manipulate large files such as digital videos.
The good news for Microsoft fans is that the iPhone software appears to be compatible with at least some of the latest offerings out of Redmond, including Internet Explorer 7, Outlook 2007, and Outlook Express. The support document also indicates that the iPhone will work with the beta version of Safari for Windows. Safari is Apple's Web browser.
Mac users will need to update their computers to Mac OS X 10.4.10 to run iPhone's software, the document states.
Apple's digital entertainment offerings have a spotty record in terms of Windows Vista compatibility. Users of iTunes version 7.2 or later need to download a patch from Microsoft in order to safely eject their iPods from Windows Vista PCs. Doing so without the patch could corrupt the music player, Apple warns.
It's not uncommon for new tech offerings to suffer compatibility glitches with existing products. In most cases, the problems are resolved in a few weeks through software updates released by the manufacturer.