A version of Microsoft’s Zune software will be available for Apple Macs by year’s end, the company said this week.

“Later in 2010 Microsoft will make a public beta available of a tool that allows Windows Phone 7 to sync select content with Mac computers,” Microsoft said in a statement.

As a result, Windows Phone 7 owners should be able to hook up their smartphones to a Mac and sync content stored on programs like iTunes.

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The news was first reported in a now-deleted Twitter post from Oded Ran, head of consumer marketing for Windows Phone U.K. “Daily #WP7 Announcement: I’m glad to confirm that Mac users would be able to use Zune on their Macs to sync with #WP7. More details soon,” according to the Tuesday night tweet, a screen grab of which was posted on Apple Insider.

Microsoft apparently considered a smaller application that would handle phone syncing, but opted for a more feature-rich offering, Apple Insider said.

Microsoft unveiled its initial Windows Phone 7 lineup on Monday, including two devices for T-Mobile, three for AT&T, and more from Sprint and Verizon expected next year. The smartphones are the first to bundle the Zune music experience on the handset – letting users tap into their music collection from phone. PCMag audio analyst Tim Gideon recently speculated that this, sadly, signals the end of the standalone Zune device in favor of Zune-enabled Windows Phone 7 devices.

For more details on Windows Phone 7 phones, see PCMag’s hands-on look at all the devices announced Monday.