Iphone sync with Thunderbird/Lightning

You are basing most Mac users use Thunderbird as their email client and for contact information and Lightning (never heard of it) for calendar events based on what documented information?

Even for Entourage users on a Mac, the iPhone does not sync directly with Entourage - this is through Apple's Address Book application for contacts and iCal for calendar events.

I'm sure Apple chose to support Outlook and Outlook Express based on these are probably the most widely used on a Windows PC but there have been a few Windows users here not too happy about this. IMO, I doubt Apple will focus much effort on sync support for Thunderbird address book contacts and Lightning for calendar events but you can always request this via the iPhone feedback link.

You're welcome.

**Note** I am one of the guys who got the iPhone home only to find out that XP Pro x64 would not work with it... Had to spend $$$ to downgrade to Vista. As ATT refused to take it back

Do you mean AT&T refused to take it back by issuing a full credit since the packaging was opened?

An iPhone can be returned for credit within the first 14 days after the purchase date for any reason or without providing a reason. If the packaging is opened, a 10% restocking fee is charged and credited in full if the packaging is not opened. After the initial 14 days regardless if the packaging is opened or not, you own it.

If returned within the 14 day window and AT&T refused to issue credit less the restocking fee, you should have called Apple since this was not correct.

As you may notice I live in Indiana (South Western) and the ratio of PCs to Macs here is like 1000 to 1 Hence I use and service PCs more.

Which means you have no job security concerns! 😉

After being forced to use Windows at work all these years - I vaguely recall using a PC with DOS commands (boy was that fun!) prior to Windows first or second release and the oil company I worked for at the time going with Windows company wide - my money has never been spent on a PC running Windows and never will. I'll go without a computer at home before doing so.

In one way it is too bad and a shame you were told incorrect information about the restocking fee by this AT&T Store. Apple sets the sales price and the return for credit policy/stipulation, not AT&T. Apple also handles all repairs and exchanges under warranty.

But in another way it sounds like the misinformation provided about the restocking fee changing your mind about returning it has turned out to be a good thing for you - funny how some things work out this way but I understand your disappointment about not being able to sync contacts and calendar events with your applications of choice. The iPhone is the first cell phone I've ever used that syncs my contacts direct with my Mac's Address Book and calendar events with iCal - I use the standard Apple applications for these functions which has always worked well for me.

I think Apple tries to focus their efforts on the applications that provide the best bang for their buck. Some folks get left out in the process but some of the sync issues reported here with limited application support would probably be even greater if there was support for additional applications not as widely used overall. Wherever the support stopped, some would be left out.

It will be interesting to see what turns up after Apple releases the iPhone SDK in February.

I would just like to second the interest that there are people out there who would love Apple to support Thunderbird/Lightning. I'm frustrated that in Thunderbird's attempt to use iCal formats and such that Apple couldn't return the support. Hopefully some day we'll get some love. 🙂