Apple Computer (Quote, Company Info) Tuesday highlighted its compatibility with non-Macintosh hardware with the improvement of its QuickTime player as well as its iSync platform.

Looking specifically at the burgeoning handset market, the Cupertino, Calif.-based computer maker upgraded its iSync platform to version 1.1. Last updated in January 2003, the synchronization software covers e-mail, iCal calendar events and to-do lists exchanging them between Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones, PalmOS devices, and Apple's iPod portable digital music player.

The free download now adds syncing via USB for several Motorola phones bringing the number of supported platforms to more than 20 including Nokia, Motorola, Sony Ericsson and Siemens. Apple has also included a Mac-to-Mac synchronization of its Safari browser bookmarks for .Mac subscribers. The upgrade requires Mac OS X version 10.2.5 and iCal 1.0.2.

"Mobile phones are a part of everyday life for millions of us, and iSync 1.1 now lets us easily take our contacts and calendars everywhere we go, right on our mobile phone," Apple senior vice president Sina Tamaddon said in a statement.

"iSync 1.1's support for Series 60-based smart phones, such as the Nokia 3650 and Nokia 7650, demonstrates seamless interaction between the mobile phone and the personal computer at its best. The Series 60 Platform is built on open standards and technologies, thus the industry-leading companies, such as Apple, can easily and conveniently develop and offer advanced applications like personal information management (PIM) to the users of Series 60-based devices," said Nokia Mobile Software director Mika Saravirta.