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Ping is a software-based music orientated social networking service developed and operated by Apple. Announced and launched on 1 September 2010 as part of the tenth major release of iTunes. The service launched with 160 million members in 23 countries.

The service allows users to follow artists and see short timely postings by both friends and artists. Ping is also accesable via iTunes for iPhone and iPod Touch.

Name
After Ping's official announcement on 1 September 2010, Karsten Manufacturing, the patent company of PING, a golfing equipment manufacturer, released a statement regarding the name of Apple's social network, stating that Karsten Manufacturing had entered into an agreement with Apple under which Apple will use the "Ping" trademark in connection with its iTunes application.

Announcement
Ping was announced by Apple chief executive 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."

Endorsement
The announcement was endorsed by both Chris Martin, 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 prerecorded video message that was played as part of the practical demo of the service.

Facebook
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. However, shortly after Ping was released to the public, users began to report that Facebook's social integration had been removed.

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." However, Apple launched Ping with Facebook integration without authorisation, and subsequently, Facebook implemented a block, denying Ping access to the application programming interface, commonly abbreviated to API, necessary in linking Facebook with Ping. The result is the inability to search for an iTunes user’s friends on Facebook, who are also connected to Ping.

To provide Facebook integration in Ping, Apple must retrieve users information through Facebook's API. The APIs are provided to third-partys for free, but 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.

Spam
24-hours after Ping was launched to the public, reports of the service being flooded with spam where published. The fraudsters would create an iTunes profile and post links to a number of online scams, including ones that promises "free iPhones" or "free iPads" in exchange for filling out online surveys. For the most part, these suspicious links are being posted in the comments sections of popular artists on Ping, such as Lady GaGa, Katy Perry and U2, all of whom are among the recommended accounts listed on the Ping homepage.

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

Fake accounts
On 2 September 2010, singer-songwriter Ben Folds reported via Twitter that an account had been created in his name, continuing to mention that he is unaware as to whom 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."

Service
Users of Ping are able to view what music their friends are streaming, purchasing and reviewing. Users also receive a personalised "charts" list that features what other people with a similar taste in music are listening to through iTunes. Additionally, users will be informed about what concerts their friends are attending and be able to purchase tickets accordingly.

Reception
Reviews of Ping have been generally favourable. Business Insider reported that it was "impressed" and "could see using [the service] regularly." Wired gave the service a favourable review, stating that "Ping has significant advantages against other music-oriented social networks." ReadWriteWeb concluded that the service is "OK", stating that it has "potential." GigaOM wrote that it foresees Ping as being "the future of Social Commerce."

The Guardian criticised the lack of existing social network integration, and NowPublic continued to criticise the absence of major artists and users inability to preform "basic" social networking interactions, such as posting status updates.