Randall ElliottApple to Launch Social Network With iTunes 10
In what may turn out to be a very smart move for Apple, they are launching a social network called Ping. Ping is part of the latest iTunes, iTunes 10, and leverages their existing user base. Its members can discover music socially, follow others, be followed and — much like Twitter and Tumblr — post their thoughts and opinions.
Just a few years ago (August 9, 2006, to be exact), MySpace annonced that its 100 millionth account was created. A few years later, in December of 2008, Facebook boasted over 125 million users. With over 160 million iTunes users in 23 countries, Apple's foray into social networking could become a great way for Apple to leverage its incredibly loyal iTunes user base.
Music has always been a great subject of discussion and opionion, so it makes sense that users would appreciate this kind of social ability. In hindsight, if Apple had rolled Ping out sooner, it could have grown user interaction with iTunes much more quickly — and substantially.
Neil Petty
Hawk Thompson
RPPL
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