iTunes 10 and the Ping Social Network for Music!
Posted by Karen in Entertainment, Music, TechnologyOK there I was about to boot up iTunes when my Apple software updater informed me of iTunes 10 and something called Ping.
So as I usually I installed the latest version of iTunes that usually also includes a few bug updates etc and I was interested in what this “Ping” actually was.
The first thing I’ve noticed with the installation is the shiny new icon on my desktop for the latest version, after clicking and waiting for iTunes 10 to boot up I also noticed the option for “Ping” in then left hand of the screen.
I clicked it and was confronted with the option to turn Ping on, then update my profile etc.
Now supposedly this new addition to iTunes is meant to be a cross between Twitter and Facebook, it’s been described as “Social network for music” it allows us to follow artists and friends via iTunes and post recommendations and status updates!
If you are a fan of a certain band you’ll now get updates from them via “Ping”.
Now I’m not personally sure that I will be utilising this new option on iTunes 10 it seems a good idea, but I suppose its early days, so for now I’ve got Ping turned on just to see how it runs and if it’s of any use to help build my ever-growing list of downloaded albums.
Something else I noticed is that now the list view of your music includes the album artwork, but this is only available for albums where you have five or more tracks from the album.
This version of iTunes also seems to have a slight update when you sync your iPod, instead of the screen just telling you that it is syncing your iPod it now shows you a progress bar and which tracks and how many it is actually syncing, a nice touch as at least you know now how long it will take to sync your iPod after you have connected it and strangely it does seem faster syncing my iPod than the earlier version of iTunes.
I dare say there are some other updates and changes that I haven’t noticed yet and will do in time, but for now a question to those that have downloaded the latest version of Apples flagship.
If you’ve not got the new version yet then you can download it direct from Apple..
Are you using Ping and if you are what do you think of it?
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Tags: iTunes, itunes 10, ping, sync ipod, syncing ipod
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Twitter: techwalls
says:
I am using Android so I don’t care much about the Music Social Network. After reading your review, I still have no idea how helpful it is.
Tek3D recently posted..Apple September Event 2010 Keynote Video
Twitter: BlazingMinds
says:
I have no idea either
I think it’s just something Apple may have developed to get more sales and make them that bit more richer than they already are 
Twitter: TechPatio
says:
Yeah I’ve played around a little bit with Ping but I’m not too fancy about it yet. I like the idea but right now it’s just boring, me thinks. I’m hoping it gets better as more artists are added.
Klaus recently posted..iTunes 10- Left navigation gray and dull- close-minimize-maximize buttons vertical!
Twitter: BlazingMinds
says:
I suppose it’s only early days yet, but I can’t see it anything else than a promotional tool for artist, when they finally get listed
Twitter: TechPatio
says:
Well, friends could still connect annd such, like we do on Facebook and Twitter, except Ping is more about music. But I’m not sure how well it will work and if Apple will expand with more features – and if so – when…
I’m curious about the future though.
Klaus recently posted..Bring back respect and courtesy to the roads!
I haven’t downloaded the update yet but it sounds a little too late to get in the game – there are already too many social networks to keep up with. But an easy way to share new bands with friends might be an interesting feature if I get the gist of what you were saying about it.
Chris recently posted..1971 Series 3 Jaguar XKE for Sale
Twitter: BlazingMinds
says:
The problem with Ping is that a lot of bands aren’t listed on there yet, so new “up and coming” bands don’t see the light of day, shame really, as it could be handy for new bands.
Karen recently posted..Happy Birthday! Blazing Minds is Two Today
Twitter: ygndblog
says:
I just got a laptop so I don’t have iTunes downloaded yet. If this Ping is another social network how do you connect to other Pingers I guess to call them? Do you connect thru facebook/twitter friends or do you just search people out?
Karen Cruz recently posted..Writer’s Block
Twitter: BlazingMinds
says:
There is a search option on Ping as well as an option to invite friends, but I don’t think you can connect via Twitter or Facebook.
Karen recently posted..Top Commentator of the Month on Blazing Minds
Twitter: benwaynet
says:
Just what we need is ANOTHER social network and from Apple, oh boy.
ITunes is bloated enough, they shouldn’t be adding more to it.
benwaynet recently posted..Causes of Corruption in the Linux Block Group Descriptor
Twitter: BlazingMinds
says:
Whatever next! iTunes certainly seems to be getting a bigger beast
Karen recently posted..How To Write a Twitter Bio That Gains You More Followers
That’s the problem with software these days – they just have to keep “improving” it and it ends up just getting too big and cumbersome. I think tho that the trend may be changing with smart phone apps tending to be small and fast. I’d rather have a program that is fast and runs well than overloaded with features I’ll never use.
Chris recently posted..1971 Plymouth Road Runner for Sale
Twitter: jronaldlee
says:
At this point – I almost don’t care how great the next new social experiment is, I don’t have time for the ones I use today.
Ping will stay disabled on my machine.
James recently posted..Snow Thrower for sale
Twitter: BlazingMinds
says:
I booted up iTunes yesterday and never even bothered with Ping, just seems a waste of space on iTunes, I think they should remove it and tweak iTunes for some extra speed instead