Apple's iPhone Will Require iTunes Account, Too

Want an iPhone so bad you'd be willing to sell your car, your house, and your dog? How about committing to more than a two-year contract?

"Get ready for iPhone" is the advice Apple and AT&T are e-mailing potential purchasers this week. The two companies bringing the hotly anticipated iPhone to market note that an iTunes account will be required to set up the phone. The move will lock iPhone users to Apple's popular music and video online store.

The advice also notes that the iPhone will synch with many address books and contact lists, including Microsoft's Entourage e-mail client for Macintosh on Macs and Microsoft's Outlook and Outlook Express on PCs.

"iPhone is the first phone to come with a desktop-class e-mail application," according to the advice from Apple and AT&T, which is the sole U.S. network provider for the device.

The iPhone is scheduled to formally debut June 29, and AT&T (formerly Cingular) stores have furiously been taking orders for the device, building on Apple's success with its iPod music players. Apple's retail stores are also taking orders for the iPhone."To set up your iPhone, you'll need an account with Apple's iTunes store," the messages state. "If you already have an iTunes account, make sure you know your account name and password. If you don't have an account, you should set one up now to save time later."

According to media reports, the sign-up procedure will require consumers to submit personal financial information for the account, although they won't necessarily be required to purchase anything from the iTunes store.

The iPhone is offered in two versions -- a 4-Gbyte version for $499 and an 8-Gbyte model for $599. It will be available at Apple retail stores and at AT&T retail outlets as well.

Earlier this week, Apple CEO Steve Jobs highlighted more features of the iPhone to developers, including the device's ability to easily and quickly run Web 2.0 applications.