Apple Finally Flips the Switch on Ping for iPad

Posted 11/15/2010 at 7:01am | by J.R. Bookwalter

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(Image courtesy of AppleInsider)

Apple’s music-themed social network, Ping, has been something of a red-haired stepchild since its September 1 debut, but the feature is at least now available to iPad users at long last, no software update or app download required.

AppleInsider is reporting that Apple has brought Ping to the iPad at last, quietly launching the music-centric social network over the weekend with practically no fanfare. But before you head to the App Store looking for it, you might want to try firing up the iTunes app on your iPad first, since the update was added on the server side and requires no interaction on the part of the user.

Ping has already been available for weeks on iTunes 10 as well as from the iPhone version of the iTunes app after launching in September. The social network allows users to discover and share music with friends, and the iPad launch follows right on the heels of Twitter being added to the service last week as well.

The iPad version of Ping is pretty much the same as on the iPhone -- you can see your friends’ activity as well as who they’re following in addition to making changes on your own profile. You’ll also be able to “like” or comment on posts from the people you follow as well as make recommendations on music from the iTunes Store.

What’s still missing from all versions of Ping is Facebook integration, which was briefly available at launch and quickly pulled. Apple and Facebook have reportedly been locked in tense negotiations over the social giant’s inclusion in Ping, with recent reports claiming that the talks have since fallen apart.

In any event, Ping is now available on the iPad for you to enjoy or ignore, so fire up the iTunes app on your tablet and see what all the fuss is about if you haven’t already!

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