Ping Tops 1 Million User Mark

[Michael Essany]

Despite being plagued by spammers and other would-be fraudsters, Apple said before the start of this weekend that its Ping social network is off to rock-star kind of start. Within 48-hours of launch, Ping has already generated better than one million initial users. Not bad for something a lot of folks were skeptical about only 72-hours ago.

Apple was beyond enthused to announce the gangbusters success on Friday. "One-third of the people who have downloaded iTunes 10 have joined Ping," said an Apple rep in a press release, hinting that further exponential growth is anticipated in the weeks ahead as iTunes 10 becomes the "norm."

“One-third of the people who have downloaded iTunes 10 have joined Ping.“

Many analysts, however, agree that for Ping to take full advantage of the 160 million iTunes users in 23 countries, Apple will have to do something about the runaway spammers, con-artists, fake celebrity profiles, and other less-than-savory characters who are now populating Ping at an alarmingly accelerated pace. For the time being, Ping is "drowning in scams and spams," as Sophos security researcher Chester Wisniewski commented late in the week.

Apple

[Poseidon79]

Integrate with Facebook and it'll be usable.

[macsoldier]

^^ yea for sure I think they would find out it will be used even more.

[southfrisco]

Integrate with Facebook and it'll be usable.

Well maybe not. Facebook will want to collect data and it seems at least from the Keynote, Jobs was specific to point out you have to OPT-IN to Ping personally (a jab right at Facebook). Also he stated that you decide if you want your profile open for all or just a few.

It might be posturing but I kind of think we won't see Facebook integration anytime soon since they are having their little spat. Personally I have no interest in Ping or Facebook so I really don't care one way or the other.

[Amadomon]

I won't join. Not even slightly tempted.

[yomamashump]

I'm not gonna call this a success just yet. This wouldn't be the first thing in history to come out of the gate on fire, only to end up failing miserably. I'll wait and see how many people keep using it on a regular basis.

I also agree that FB integration is an almost "must-have" for this to really survive. Like it or not, Facebook is running the show when it comes to Social Networks these days.

[calebratm]

Facebook would be a plus but what about the fact that only purchased itunes songs can be shared. In my 8000 song library not a single one was purchased through itunes, yes there legal lol. This service is worthless for me, and many of my friends.

[zeroskater61]

I won't join. Not even slightly tempted.

Same here!!

[zoso10]

Social networks come and go. First there was xanga, then myspace, and now facebook.
I think if Ping does catch on (meaning more than 1 out of every 160 users) it'll only last for a while.

[iNT3Rv3NTiONZz]

It's hardly surprising, I'm sure almost everyone updating to i10 will have look at it, I'm one of them even tho I'm never gna use it lol

[NikSC]

Facebook would be a plus but what about the fact that only purchased itunes songs can be shared. In my 8000 song library not a single one was purchased through itunes, yes there legal lol. This service is worthless for me, and many of my friends.

My issue is the same!!! Why only what u have downloaded from iTunes?

Plus 1million from over 160million installed copies isn't that great when u take into account most people have updates set to alert, then loads of people will register to just see what it's all about!! How many people will use it?? How many users have Facebook & Twitter accounts?? How many of those use their accounts??

[politicalslug]

Well maybe not. Facebook will want to collect data and it seems at least from the Keynote, Jobs was specific to point out you have to OPT-IN to Ping personally (a jab right at Facebook). Also he stated that you decide if you want your profile open for all or just a few.

It might be posturing but I kind of think we won't see Facebook integration anytime soon since they are having their little spat. Personally I have no interest in Ping or Facebook so I really don't care one way or the other.

If Ping is sort of "opt-in", then Facebook is utterly "opt-in". What the hell do mean it was a jab at Facebook? A person has to go to Facebook.com and jump through pages of hoops and confirmations to create an account. Joining Ping is a flick mouse-clicks once you're in iTunes listening to some music. Some people might even be joining accidentally.

To quote George Saint Pierre: Ping, "I'm not very impressed with your performance".

[iphone4idiots]

One million users. Big deal. I joined just to take a peek, but when I saw I couldn't Facebook connect and the amount of spam I just changed my profile to someone famous for kicks. Oh yeah, the software is dumb as dirt in the recommendations it makes. Has nothing to do with what music you like - it just suggests those with most followers as far as I can tell. I won't be using it much if at all unless Facebook is added. I don't see that happening either. This will be biggest flop since Apple TV. But hey, as long as they keep cranking out iPhones I don't care.

What really depresses me is that out of 1,000,000 - about 150,000 became fans of Lady Gaga! Just shoot me now

[tudtran]

Holy ****. That was fast.

[CaptainChaos]

I don't have Twitter. I don't have Facebook. And I won't have Ping. I only use iTunes to sync my phone with. Which also happens to be where my social network is. In my Contacts list.

[whereswaldo]

That eas easy, time to press the Staples button

[MindGem]

I have Twitter, I have FaceBook but never heard of Ping!

[zozodouce]

dont care for it.

[HeLLaxGoOd]

They joined to see what it is..and it sucks!!

Make it with facebook..

[Saved0ne]

My issue is the same!!! Why only what u have downloaded from iTunes?

Because they want your money lol. It's that simple.