Amaya Toman What comes to mind when you hear the word "social network"? Facebook, Twitter, Instagram? And when it says "musical social network"? Did Spotify come to mind first? One of today's most widespread music social networks had its predecessor eight years ago in the form of Ping from Apple. Why was this network ultimately doomed?
Apple launched music social network Ping in September 2010 as part of iTunes 10. Its mission was to make it easier for users to discover new music and follow their favorite artists. In the first forty-eight hours of its operation, the Ping network recorded a million registrations, but despite this, it was practically doomed from the start.
Ping was the first author's social network from the workshop of the apple company. Users could not only follow all their favorite artists, but also post their thoughts and opinions. Those who wanted could share details about their favorite albums and individual songs through Ping, users could also track the performance dates of their favorites and notify their friends about events they plan to attend.
“With more than 160 million users in 23 countries, iTunes is the number one music community. Now we have enriched iTunes with the social network Ping," said Steve Jobs at the time. "With Ping, you can follow your favorite artists and your friends and join a global conversation with everyone who shares a passion for music.". Ping's launch seemed perfectly timed. Thanks to the iTunes user base, the network had a wide reach and a certain community of supporters, something that networks starting from scratch lack.
And success did indeed come at first - but the tide turned when the first million users signed up for Ping. Apple's social network lacked Facebook integration - the two companies simply couldn't come to an agreement with each other. Another problematic element of Ping was its design - using the network was not exactly easy and convenient, and the whole Ping felt more like a platform through which Apple wanted to sell more music than a social network. After the failure of MobileMe, Ping became Apple's last attempt at its own social network.
However, Ping lasted until 2012, when Tim Cook stated at the All Things Digital conference: “We tried Ping, users voted and said it's not something they want to invest too much energy in. Some people love Ping, but not many. So shall we end it? I don't know. I will look at it.". Cook further noted that "Apple doesn't need to have its own social network" and on September 30, 2012, Ping was shut down. Today, Apple attracts users to its Apple Music service, the offer of which is constantly growing. Remember Ping? Do you use Apple Music? How satisfied are you with the service?
I still have a working iphone 4, I use Spotify… Apple Music is not supported here :-O
the iphone connects via bluetooth to the hifi and I also start Spotify on the desktop, where I choose music and edit playlists, but mainly here the control works in mirror mode, the iphone plays, but you control it on the desktop... and everything is free... Apple music can also do this ?
No, as long as you don't exchange for the latest device every two years, the whole Apple infrastructure isn't even worth *fart*... But if I could afford to constantly spend absolutely incredible amounts on new and new devices, then it works quite OK.