2010 iTunes Ping

Seeing the success of Facebook and Twitter, Apple tried to get in on the social network game with iTunes Ping in 2010. It let you follow musicians and connect with your friends, all within iTunes.

But the problems began almost from the start. During Ping’s unveiling, Steve Jobs touted its Facebook integration. However, due to a payment dispute between the social network and Apple, Facebook blocked Ping integration almost immediately.

There was another big problem: spam. In a bizarre oversight, Apple neglected to put in a spam filtering system, allowing accounts to flood Ping’s comment areas with dodgy links. Some artists even reported that fake accounts had been set up in their names.

While Ping was closed down in 2012, Apple hasn’t given up on the idea. Apple Music’s Connect feature – see the tutorial in this issue – is a spiritual successor to Ping, but also seems to be struggling to find its feet.