iTunes Ping

S eeing 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 word go. During the Ping unveiling, Steve Jobs touted its Facebook integration. However, due to a payment dispute between Facebook and Apple, Facebook blocked Ping integration almost immediately.

There was another big problem: spam. In a bizarre oversight, Apple neglected to put any spam filtering system in place, allowing accounts to flood Ping’s comment areas with suspicious 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 is a spiritual successor to Ping, but also seems to be struggling to find its feet.