The most ridiculous thing about Ping is that it only considers your downloaded music. What proportion of iTunes users have a library made up entirely from music downloaded from the iTunes Store? I would think a very small proportion indeed.
So, even if you are happy to use this as a standalone 'network' without connection to Facebook, Twitter et al, it doesn't do what it sets out to do.
Except that last.fm only show what's been played, and you can configure how long you want the history to show. A heavy BitTorrent thief might have 100 GB of stolen music on their computer, but Last.FM would probably only show a couple hundred hours worth of playlists - not enough to easily spot thieves.
Ping basically discloses everything in the user's iTunes library, even if you haven't pushed play since you agreed to the Ping user agreement (which basically allows Apple to sell your itemized iTunes purchase history, and the address linked to you credit card to advertisers, btw); at least what's been purchased. If that was expanded to include non-iTunes purchases, it would be very easy to spot the thieves, which would basically end up in Ping being avoided by pretty much everyone who's ever illegally copied a friend's CD, downloaded illegally. (that is, everyone with a computer).
having a large itunes collection is not proof that you didn't buy it. i'm a few years shy of 40 and had over 200 CD's by my early 20's. my wife had close to 100 since she listened to the radio a lot more. i've lost a lot of my CD's and some have been scratched up but i still have my ripped copies
having a large itunes collection is not proof that you didn't buy it. i'm a few years shy of 40 and had over 200 CD's by my early 20's. my wife had close to 100 since she listened to the radio a lot more. i've lost a lot of my CD's and some have been scratched up but i still have my ripped copies
300 CD's / 3000 songs wouldn't raise too many eyebrows, but how about 1500 albums or 20000 songs?
I know of a few private BitTorrent trackers that have thousands of members with over 500 album downloads each. All it would take would be one or two of them to get busted by a law enforcement agency who was tipped off by seeing them on Ping, and everyone who ripped has 10 or 20 friends' CDs would be scared off of Ping for good... It think it's safe to say Apple has thought of that scenario, otherwise why would Stevesie be limiting Ping to iTunes purchases only?
As has been previously stated, the Genius (which does not publicize any user info) incorporates all albums in the user library, so there is a direct correlation at Apple with publicly displaying ripped/shared music...
Your comment was in reference to a poster's comment that Ping ignored his own ripped collection. I maybe wrong but don't see this has anything to do with using your content that wasn't purchased to ascertain your likes and dislikes and therefore who you might like to follow. In fact it would make more sense to correctly figure out your taste accurately. The Genius feature works perfectly on my entire ripped CD collection so iTune is already looking at the rest of the material in there.
Genius does not associate your library with your name or iTunes Account
Quote:
When you opt in to the Genius feature, Apple will, from time to time, automatically collect information that can be used to identify media in your iTunes library on this computer, such as your play history and playlists. This includes media purchased through iTunes and media obtained from other sources. This information will be stored anonymously and not associated with your name or iTunes Account. When you use the Genius feature, Apple will use this information and the contents of your iTunes library, as well as other information, to give personalized recommendations to you.
Whereas Ping is associated with your name and your account
Quote:
If you opt in to Ping, you can share information with people who have also opted in to Ping, such as your name, your image, and your interests. The name and image provided will also be associated with all reviews posted about a Product via your Account, including posts prior to opting in. People whom you have permitted to follow you will be able to see your activity on iTunes, such as events you are attending, music that you have indicated that you like, and purchases made with your Account. Your activity on another user's profile, such as comments you make about their activity, is subject to that user's privacy settings and can be viewed by all of that user's followers. You are solely responsible for the information that is associated with your Account that is made available on Ping. You should not opt in to Ping, or should opt out of Ping in your Account settings if you don't want others to view any information provided using your Account, including activity on iTunes. When you opt out, your information will be removed from view, and then deleted after seven days. Please take extra care when using these features. You will be able to remove items from your Recent Activity if you do not want them to be visible to other users. Apple may also use information provided to make personal recommendations to you, such as suggesting other users you may want to follow, concerts, or other Products you may want to purchase. By opting in to Ping, you consent to the use of the information associated with your Account, including information provided by you, in the manner described above. At all times your information will be treated in accordance with Apple's Privacy Policy.
Bottomline, Genius is generic. Apple uses your information anonymously and combines it with…
Quote:
…aggregated information from the iTunes libraries of other users who also opt in to this feature, your iTunes Store purchase history data, aggregated purchase history data from other iTunes Store users, and other information obtained from third parties,…
Whereas, Ping is or can be more private; basically between you and your close friends with like similar interests, or artist/muscians who would like you to be a closer friend/patron/fan.
[/COLOR]True fans know it all: What their favorite artists are playing — and when and where they’re playing it. Set your inner groupie free by following your favorite artists on Ping.
Follow your friends. Find new music.
There’s no better way to discover new music than to find out what your friends are listening to. Ping gives you even more insight into your friends’ musical tastes through profile pages.
Stay up to date on who, what, when, and where.
Keep musically connected with the Recent Activity feed in Ping. See a list of recent updates showing what friends, artists, and celebrities are up to on iTunes.
Rather than seeing the 7000 songs that I ripped from my CD collection, Ping seems to see only the single song that I have purchased from iTunes. Even then, it suggests that I would want to follow Lady Gaga, who has nothing in common with this single song.
I can understand that line of thinking as there's that completely unnecessary (proportionally) thick border surrounding the Nano 6th's display that could have very easily afforded a larger touchscreen.
The Nano 6th is certainly looking to be the most polarizing of the iPod 2010 series.
Should have differentiated it with the shuffle by making is bigger, or simple making it into a watch form factor with a strap and wireless ear buds included. Then put calendar and notes back in, add a nice looking clock skin. It would make an awesome digital watch.
Rather than seeing the 7000 songs that I ripped from my CD collection, Ping seems to see only the single song that I have purchased from iTunes. Even then, it suggests that I would want to follow Lady Gaga, who has nothing in common with this single song.
It's pretty safe to assume that major labels (and anyone else with cash to spend) can pay Apple for disproportionate advertising, the same way they can pay newspapers for ad space, magazines for ad space, MTV for playtime, and radio networks for playtime. How do you think Lady Gaga got her career in the first place? Started out playing door gigs at small clubs in Idaho?
Ordered a touch for my godson, find the new Nano intriguing but am not interested in buying and also think Ping has got to be a bad idea - any thing that "me - too" can't be that good
I agree that Ping underwhelms as a "me too" service for Apple thus far. They have not thoroughly thought through the value of such a service, nor have they given much thought to privacy concerns from the user's perspective. Is Steve asleep at the wheel here?
I agree that Ping underwhelms as a "me too" service for Apple thus far. They have not thoroughly thought through the value of such a service, nor have they given much thought to privacy concerns from the user's perspective. Is Steve asleep at the wheel here?
How did you come to that conclusion? Or for that matter say it is a "me too" service?
For sure you couldn't have read the agreement policy or even read the promo page.
How did you come to that conclusion? Or for that matter say it is a "me too" service?
For sure you couldn't have read the agreement policy or even read the promo page.
IMO, it's a "me too" because of Apple's lateness to the 'social media' scene. That's all. It's not Twitter, it's not Facebook... it's something completely built into iTunes, which I frankly find unimpressive. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate their attempt to build a community around music, I'm just not wowed by what I've seen so far.
Comments
So, even if you are happy to use this as a standalone 'network' without connection to Facebook, Twitter et al, it doesn't do what it sets out to do.
Except that last.fm only show what's been played, and you can configure how long you want the history to show. A heavy BitTorrent thief might have 100 GB of stolen music on their computer, but Last.FM would probably only show a couple hundred hours worth of playlists - not enough to easily spot thieves.
Ping basically discloses everything in the user's iTunes library, even if you haven't pushed play since you agreed to the Ping user agreement (which basically allows Apple to sell your itemized iTunes purchase history, and the address linked to you credit card to advertisers, btw); at least what's been purchased. If that was expanded to include non-iTunes purchases, it would be very easy to spot the thieves, which would basically end up in Ping being avoided by pretty much everyone who's ever illegally copied a friend's CD, downloaded illegally. (that is, everyone with a computer).
having a large itunes collection is not proof that you didn't buy it. i'm a few years shy of 40 and had over 200 CD's by my early 20's. my wife had close to 100 since she listened to the radio a lot more. i've lost a lot of my CD's and some have been scratched up but i still have my ripped copies
having a large itunes collection is not proof that you didn't buy it. i'm a few years shy of 40 and had over 200 CD's by my early 20's. my wife had close to 100 since she listened to the radio a lot more. i've lost a lot of my CD's and some have been scratched up but i still have my ripped copies
300 CD's / 3000 songs wouldn't raise too many eyebrows, but how about 1500 albums or 20000 songs?
I know of a few private BitTorrent trackers that have thousands of members with over 500 album downloads each. All it would take would be one or two of them to get busted by a law enforcement agency who was tipped off by seeing them on Ping, and everyone who ripped has 10 or 20 friends' CDs would be scared off of Ping for good... It think it's safe to say Apple has thought of that scenario, otherwise why would Stevesie be limiting Ping to iTunes purchases only?
As has been previously stated, the Genius (which does not publicize any user info) incorporates all albums in the user library, so there is a direct correlation at Apple with publicly displaying ripped/shared music...
How? Did you have to change your iTunes name too, to match?
Please tell us.
Maybe his iTunes nickname is his real name...
Your comment was in reference to a poster's comment that Ping ignored his own ripped collection. I maybe wrong but don't see this has anything to do with using your content that wasn't purchased to ascertain your likes and dislikes and therefore who you might like to follow. In fact it would make more sense to correctly figure out your taste accurately. The Genius feature works perfectly on my entire ripped CD collection so iTune is already looking at the rest of the material in there.
Genius does not associate your library with your name or iTunes Account
When you opt in to the Genius feature, Apple will, from time to time, automatically collect information that can be used to identify media in your iTunes library on this computer, such as your play history and playlists. This includes media purchased through iTunes and media obtained from other sources. This information will be stored anonymously and not associated with your name or iTunes Account. When you use the Genius feature, Apple will use this information and the contents of your iTunes library, as well as other information, to give personalized recommendations to you.
http://www.apple.com/legal/itunes/us/terms.html#SERVICE
Whereas Ping is associated with your name and your account
If you opt in to Ping, you can share information with people who have also opted in to Ping, such as your name, your image, and your interests. The name and image provided will also be associated with all reviews posted about a Product via your Account, including posts prior to opting in. People whom you have permitted to follow you will be able to see your activity on iTunes, such as events you are attending, music that you have indicated that you like, and purchases made with your Account. Your activity on another user's profile, such as comments you make about their activity, is subject to that user's privacy settings and can be viewed by all of that user's followers. You are solely responsible for the information that is associated with your Account that is made available on Ping. You should not opt in to Ping, or should opt out of Ping in your Account settings if you don't want others to view any information provided using your Account, including activity on iTunes. When you opt out, your information will be removed from view, and then deleted after seven days. Please take extra care when using these features. You will be able to remove items from your Recent Activity if you do not want them to be visible to other users. Apple may also use information provided to make personal recommendations to you, such as suggesting other users you may want to follow, concerts, or other Products you may want to purchase. By opting in to Ping, you consent to the use of the information associated with your Account, including information provided by you, in the manner described above. At all times your information will be treated in accordance with Apple's Privacy Policy.
http://www.apple.com/legal/itunes/us/terms.html#SERVICE
Bottomline, Genius is generic. Apple uses your information anonymously and combines it with…
…aggregated information from the iTunes libraries of other users who also opt in to this feature, your iTunes Store purchase history data, aggregated purchase history data from other iTunes Store users, and other information obtained from third parties,…
http://www.apple.com/legal/itunes/us/terms.html#SERVICE
Whereas, Ping is or can be more private; basically between you and your close friends with like similar interests, or artist/muscians who would like you to be a closer friend/patron/fan.
Perhaps everyone should visit Ping at http://www.apple.com/itunes/ping/
Note that
Ping is a social network for music.
Follow your favorite artists.
[/COLOR]True fans know it all: What their favorite artists are playing — and when and where they’re playing it. Set your inner groupie free by following your favorite artists on Ping.
Follow your friends. Find new music.
There’s no better way to discover new music than to find out what your friends are listening to. Ping gives you even more insight into your friends’ musical tastes through profile pages.
Stay up to date on who, what, when, and where.
Keep musically connected with the Recent Activity feed in Ping. See a list of recent updates showing what friends, artists, and celebrities are up to on iTunes.
[/QUOTE]
I can understand that line of thinking as there's that completely unnecessary (proportionally) thick border surrounding the Nano 6th's display that could have very easily afforded a larger touchscreen.
The Nano 6th is certainly looking to be the most polarizing of the iPod 2010 series.
Should have differentiated it with the shuffle by making is bigger, or simple making it into a watch form factor with a strap and wireless ear buds included. Then put calendar and notes back in, add a nice looking clock skin. It would make an awesome digital watch.
Rather than seeing the 7000 songs that I ripped from my CD collection, Ping seems to see only the single song that I have purchased from iTunes. Even then, it suggests that I would want to follow Lady Gaga, who has nothing in common with this single song.
It's pretty safe to assume that major labels (and anyone else with cash to spend) can pay Apple for disproportionate advertising, the same way they can pay newspapers for ad space, magazines for ad space, MTV for playtime, and radio networks for playtime. How do you think Lady Gaga got her career in the first place? Started out playing door gigs at small clubs in Idaho?
Ordered a touch for my godson, find the new Nano intriguing but am not interested in buying and also think Ping has got to be a bad idea - any thing that "me - too" can't be that good
I agree that Ping underwhelms as a "me too" service for Apple thus far. They have not thoroughly thought through the value of such a service, nor have they given much thought to privacy concerns from the user's perspective. Is Steve asleep at the wheel here?
I agree that Ping underwhelms as a "me too" service for Apple thus far. They have not thoroughly thought through the value of such a service, nor have they given much thought to privacy concerns from the user's perspective. Is Steve asleep at the wheel here?
How did you come to that conclusion? Or for that matter say it is a "me too" service?
For sure you couldn't have read the agreement policy or even read the promo page.
How did you come to that conclusion? Or for that matter say it is a "me too" service?
For sure you couldn't have read the agreement policy or even read the promo page.
IMO, it's a "me too" because of Apple's lateness to the 'social media' scene. That's all. It's not Twitter, it's not Facebook... it's something completely built into iTunes, which I frankly find unimpressive. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate their attempt to build a community around music, I'm just not wowed by what I've seen so far.