The major benefit of having your iPhone synched with your computer is the time you will save transferring files and sending them from one device to another.

Once you have your handset and computer compatible with each other, the process is automatic, simple and easy to understand.

Every song, movie, or image purchased on your iPhone in the iTunes Store, or the App Store, is automatically synced back to your iTunes library.

You can also purchase or download content and applications directly from the iTunes Store on your computer, and they will be sent directly back to your iPhone.

On the other hand, if you only wanted some of your library synched, this is possible too. You can set iPhone to work with only a portion of what’s on your computer. For example, you might want to sync only a group of contacts from your address book, or only unwatched video pod casts.

One thing to remember is that for the synchronization to operate successfully, users need to be logged into their own computer user account before connecting their iPhone.

Here is a guide on how to set up iTunes synching:

    Connect iPhone to your computer, and open iTunes (if it doesn’t open automatically).
    In iTunes, select iPhone in the sidebar.
    Configure the sync settings in each of the settings panes.
    Click Apply in the lower-right corner of the screen.

Just beware the consequences of using non-Apple certified software with your Apple device: if something goes awry, the Apple Store attendants probably won’t be sympathetic when you try to make a claim on your warranty.

The iPhone wasn’t the first device on the market to incorporate a music player, email client, calendar, contact list and email into a mobile phone, but it is certainly one of the best. One of the biggest reasons it manages to do all of these jobs so well is due to its incredibly intelligent software: iTunes.

Where most smartphones fail is their computer software, but not in the case of the iPhone. For anyone who has owned an iPod in the past, you’ll quickly come to realise that when it comes to the iPhone, actually only manages the music you put on your device. Other programs manage all of your contact details, calender appointments and photos. iTunes simply facilitates the data transfer between these programs and your iPhone every time you synchronise them.

For Mac users:
If you’re a Mac user, the choices are simpler. Apple defaults photo management to iPhoto, contact management to Adress Book and Calendar with iCal.

For PC users:
PC users must specify a contacts app from either Yahoo! Address Book, Outlook Express, Outlook and Windows Address Book. Photoshop Albums or Photoshop Elements from Adobe can also manage your pictures.

What next?
Once you have made your synching preferences, simply authorise iTunes to automatically sync data every time you dock your iPhone with your computer. This will maintain that all your information is always up to date.

Jailbroken iPhones, beware!
If you’ve jailbroken your iPhone, be careful when it comes to synching. If iTunes were to automatically update the firmware, you might find yourself with a rather attractive paperweight.

Another alternative to manually synching your iPhone to your Mac or PC is called Mobile Me.