Why does iPhone only sync with one computer?

Katherine Murphy wrote:
Two very separate issues are going on here :
1. I cannot sync with multiple computers.
You CAN sync your contacts/calendar with multiple computers.
You CANNOT sync you iTunes junk with any other computers' iTunes junk - this istrue for iPods, too.

That is not accurate. Content may be copied to other iPods from multiple computers, so long as "Manually manage music and videos" is checked. Refer to http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61675

This is a serious limitation, which makes it hard to take the iPhone's iPod implementation seriously. I wonder if the Touch is similarly afflicted.

No one here can answer why.

An iPhone can be synced with multiple computers for contact information, calendar events and bookmarks, but not with iTunes content.

If a problem for you, you can return it for credit and maybe get the store to waive the 10% restocking fee if the packaging is opened.

This is true with the iPhone in regards to the iPod portion and music only. You can sync the data such as contacts and calendar with more than one computer. It will give you the standard warning that you can only sync with one computer but when you get past that, it will give you the choice to merge the data on the phone with what is on the second computer.

As many have said, you can sync with many. My friend syncs contacts, mail, etc with work computer, and for music, video, ec (itunes content) he syncs at home.

I don't see the issue. Maybe if you tell us what you are trying to do, we can help.

Iphones music sync works exactly the same way Ipods do. The sync is one way from the computer to the device (but music purchased via Itunes can be transfered down.) If you connecting the iphone/ipod to a different machine it will give you a warning that it will replace the contents of your iphone/ipod with the music from the current computer.
Both Iphone and Ipod function exactly the same way.
Like the Ipod, you do not have to sync the iphone with the same computer every time. There is nothing that "locks" your iphone to a specific computer, just like the ipod.
With my Iphone, I sync my music with my home computer and sync all of my contacts and calendars with my work computer.

So say i want to plug my iphone into home and work computer it will work?
right now i only plug it into my home computer.
if i plug it into my work computer it wont mess up my iphone will u?
like the contacts wont like delete off of iphone will they?

You cannot sync the same type of data from multiple machines. eg, you cannot bring in contacts from home and work machine...just one. Same with everything else. You can sync contacts, email etc from one machine, and music video (itunes type content) from another.

Two very separate issues are going on here :
1. I cannot sync with multiple computers.
You CAN sync your contacts/calendar with multiple computers.
You CANNOT sync you iTunes junk with any other computers' iTunes junk - this istrue for iPods, too.

2. I cannot USE my iPhone's iTunes data on a second computer.
This IS different from how iPods work - I can sync with my home computer, but I can LISTEN and VIEW the crap on my iPod ANYWHERE. NOT TRUE FOR THE IPHONE. Your entire iTunes library will be grey on ANY OTHER COMPUTER you connect you iPhone to. Keep that library of songs, videos, podcasts, etc. on EVERY COMPUTER YOU USE!

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How can I tell what computer the iPhone is synced to? I set it up using a friend's computer - mine was out of service at the time.

Can I change the computer to which it is synced?

I am trying to put some podcasts (MP3s) on the iPhone.

I am not sure exactly what you mean by saying you can Sync your iPod with all your computers. That can't be true as you can only sync iPods with one computer at a time.