BEIJING, Feb. 5 (Xinhuanet) -- Apple has asked iPod and iTunes users to delay upgrading computers to Windows Vista, according to media reports Monday.

    In a statement issues last week, it waned that the iTunes music software may not work well with the new operating system from rival Microsoft.

    The iTunes software is key to synching music on computers with iPod portable players. Apple has sold more than 90 million iPods since the product was launched in October 2001.

    Though iTunes may work with many Vista computers, the company said, it "knows of some compatibility problems," and recommended users to wait until the company settles the issues with an iTunes update in the coming weeks.

    As iTunes works with Windows PCs and Microsoft Office has a version for Macs, Microsoft and Apple have a love-hate relationship. They are partners in some cases, but entrenched rivals in others.

    Lat week, Microsoft launched Vista -- its first major overhaul of Windows in five years.

    Following Vista's launch, Apple's Web site posted a notice, claiming compatibility problems include the inability to play music or video purchased from the online iTunes store, difficulties synchronizing contacts and calendars and possible failures of iPods plugged into a Vista computer.

    However, Adam Anderson, a spokesman for Microsoft's Windows division, said the company did not believe iTunes users "should stop using Vista for these reasons."

    Microsoft said it is working with a long list of partners, including Apple, to make sure their software is compatible with Vista. When the new operating system was launched, Microsoft said more than 5,000 hardware and software products were Vista-compatible.

    The company has a dedicated team working with Apple on getting iTunes running smoothly on Vista, and it will continue "until they have the program running to the quality level they're shooting for," Anderson added.

    (Agencies)