Poor Ping. Apple’s failed iTunes social network experiment just hasn’t caught on. Ping didn’t get off to a good start when Apple was unable to partner with Facebook years ago, and the service has become a running joke amongst the Apple fan community.
According to a new report, Ping will be killed once and for all later this year when Apple debuts the next major version of iTunes.
The reliable AllThingsD reports:
Sources close to the company say that Ping, which still exists today in iTunes 10.6.3, will be gone with the software’s next major release, likely scheduled for this fall. And at that point Apple’s social networking offerings will shift to Twitter and new partner Facebook entirely.
Apple will instead use its new Twitter and Facebook integration in OS X Mountain Lion to give users social networking features they care about.
Tim Cook addressed Ping in his interview at D10 recently. After trying to defend the unused social network, Cook admitted that “We tried Ping, and I think the customer voted.” He then said, “This isn’t something that I want to put a lot of energy into.” That’s about all the confirmation we need.
It was nice knowing ya, Ping.
Source: AllThingsD
Alex Heath is a journalist who works for Tech Insider. He’s the former co-host of The CultCast. He has been quoted by the likes of the BBC, KRON 4 News, and books like “ICONIC: A Photographic Tribute to Apple Innovation.” He lives in Lexington, Kentucky. If you want to pitch a story, share a tip, or just get in touch, additional contact information is available on his personal site. Follow him on Twitter.
8 responses to “Ping Will Be Sent To The Grave When The New iTunes Ships Later This Year [Report]”
I never really got the point of Ping. What am I supposed to do with it?
I really think that Apple is working behind the scenes on an instagram kind of social network. I really can’t believe that Ping is their last hurrah in the social networking area.
Was it only announced 2 years ago? Damn the tech world is flying by at lightning speed. Seems like Ping has been peeking at me from the corner of iTunes for longer than that.
Once they get cozy with Facebook, they’ll integrate it deeper into iOS and probably OSX. Ping will be replaced by something similar on Facebook.
Tasteless headline and photo. This site has gone to crap. See ya.
that’s a shame… I really like Ping although it needs enhancement (first and foremost, its own app).
I agree with Boris. I think it’ll be rolled into an Apple/Facebook thing, or that Facebook will do something with this.
I used Ping for about five minutes the turned it off so it’s like it’s not even there.