libimobiledevice is a software library that talks the protocols to support 
iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad and Apple TV devices. Unlike other projects, it does 
not depend on using any existing proprietary libraries and does not require 
jailbreaking. It allows other software to easily access the device's filesystem,
retrieve information about the device and its internals, backup/restore the 
device, manage SpringBoard icons, manage installed applications, retrieve 
addressbook/calendars/notes and bookmarks and (using libgpod) synchronize music 
and video to the device. The library is in development since August 2007 with 
the goal to bring support for these devices to the Linux Desktop.