Apple has revealed that they will require those that purchase the iPhone have an active iTunes Store account in order to setup the the handheld device.

According to a MacWorld report, Apple has released an email to U.S. customers warning them that they should get an iTunes account. The email also included information on the iPhone's features. The email reveals that the iPhone will be able to get contact information from Address Book, Entourage, Outlook, Outlook Express, or Yahoo! Address Book, and grab schedule reminders from iCal, Entourage, or Outlook.

This warning of course, has led some to question why an iTunes registration is required. Some have speculated that perhaps Apple wants to ensure more security for data that can be passed from iTunes to the iPhone.

Other reports have noted concern that this iTunes requirement may cause problems for the first wave of iPhone purchasers as AT&T employees may not be fully aware of the requirement and thus could lead to setup troubles.

Others have also noted that this may just be Apple's way to expand iTunes' user base even further. Of course, its probably likely that those eager and willing to get the latest Apple gadget already have iTunes accounts.