iTunes Ping

Ping was announced by Apple CEO Steve Jobs as being "sort of like Facebook and Twitter meet iTunes," but stating that "Ping is not Facebook" and "it is not Twitter," instead describing it as "something else ... all about music."[10] Many have speculated that Ping was meant to compete directly with the declining MySpace, which is still holding on to its existence through music.[11]

The announcement was endorsed by both Chris Martin,[12] lead singer of Coldplay, who closed the event by performing "Viva La Vida" and "Yellow", as well as an unreleased song titled "Wedding Bells", and Lady Gaga who introduced the social network in a recorded video message that was played as part of the practical demo of the service.[13]

During Apple's announcement of Ping, chief executive Steve Jobs gave a demo of the service in which he demonstrated the basic functionality of the service, including Facebook integration.[14] However, shortly after Ping was released to the public, users began to report that Facebook's social integration had been removed.[15]

Kara Swisher, technology columnist for the Wall Street Journal, reported that after speaking to Steve Jobs regarding the matter, he had revealed that Facebook and Apple had failed to reach an agreement. Jobs further reported that Facebook wanted "onerous terms that [Apple] could not agree to."[16] However, Apple launched Ping with Facebook integration without authorization,[17] and that subsequently, Facebook implemented a block, denying Ping access to the application programming interface (API), necessary in "linking" Facebook with Ping. The result was the inability to search for an iTunes user's friends on Facebook who were also connected to Ping.[18]

To provide Facebook integration in Ping, Apple had to retrieve users' information using Facebook's API instead. Facebook provides its APIs for third parties to use for free, but "high-volume" services such as Ping that are expected to make more than 100 million information requests per 24-hour period, are required to negotiate terms of use with Facebook, in accordance to Facebook's Developer Principles and Policies.[19]

Twenty-four hours after Ping was launched to the public,[20] reports of the service being flooded with spam were published.[21] The fraudsters would create an iTunes profile and post links to a number of online scams, including ones that promised "free iPhones" or "free iPads" in exchange for filling out online surveys. For the most part, these suspicious links were being posted in the comments sections of popular artists on Ping, such as Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and U2, all of whom were among the recommended accounts listed on the Ping homepage.[22]

Security vendor Sophos expressed bemusement that Apple had allegedly set up no spam or URL filtering in Ping, leaving the service open to spam commenting.[23][24] MacRumors reported that the "first 'free iPhone' spam wave remained active for up to four hours before being disabled."[25] PC World noted that if Sophos' claims are correct it would be very "surprising ... considering that Apple appears to be filtering profile photos."[26]

On September 2, 2010, singer-songwriter Ben Folds reported via Twitter[27] that an account had been created in his name, continuing to mention that he is unaware as to who had created it. Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos, said it is "used to ... scams like this being spread far and wide via sites like Facebook, but clearly the lack of filtering on Ping is making it a brand new playground for [scammers] to operate in."[28]

The service was initially available in 23 countries[29] where users have full access to the iTunes Store. Therefore, users in countries with limited or no access to the iTunes Store, such as Chile, the Czech Republic, Croatia and India, were unable to access Ping.[30]