The new iPod, Apple's latest pet project, namely the iPhone is not compatible with 64-bit variants of Windows Vista and Windows XP. However, Apple neglected to inform users of the "anodyne" detail that the iPhone does not offer support for the x64 flavors of Windows. Much in the same manner as Boot Camp, the iPhone can only be integrated with 32-bit versions of Vista and XP. On the official Technical Specifications webpage for the iPhone, there is no mention of the special treatment that 64-bit Vista and XP users are to receive from Apple.

Under "Windows system requirements", Apple only features: "PC with USB 2.0 port; Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, Enterprise, or Ultimate Edition; or Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 2 or later and iTunes 7.3 or later." How are users supposed to infer from the Windows Vista and Windows XP enumeration that the iPhone will not work with 64-bit editions of the Microsoft operating systems?

Essential in the integration of the iPhone with 64-bit Windows Vista and XP is iTunes 7.3. Version 7.3 is designed to "activate your iPhone service and sync iPhone with your music, movies, TV shows, and more." And of course that under "and more" there's the little fact that "iTunes is currently not supported in Windows XP Professional x64 Edition or any 64-bit edition of Windows Vista. Features may or may not work correctly. One example is reading or writing to an optical drive (CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-RW). It's also possible iTunes for Windows may not successfully install."

Apple only references the fact that the iPhone will not work with the 64-bit versions of Vista and XP under the minimum system requirements for the device. "64-bit editions of Windows are not supported," reveals a footnote on the support page, as Engadget reported. The bottom line is that Apple has been dragging its feet with offering support for Windows Vista. Even more so for the 64-bit editions of Microsoft's latest operating system. This example of neglect could backfire.