So iTunes 10 just rolled out. If you have already grabbed it you must be having a tough time resisting the new features made available to you. This definitive guide will get you started with iTunes Ping in less than five minutes. It’s really easy to use. Easy, fast and free. It will be fun too if you are able to find some friends already present on the network.
Other Suggested Readings
- Download Link for Apple Keynote Video, September 1 Musical Event
- Apple announced new iPods at 2010 Fall event
- Video: Coldplay’s Chris Martin Performing Live at Apple Music Event
In case you still haven’t upgraded to iTunes 10, head here. We have posted Direct Download links to iTunes 10 for both Windows and Mac users. That done let’s talk about Ping now.
What is iTunes Ping?
To quote Steve Jobs, it is twitter and Facebook meeting iTunes. A social network that is meant for music.
It’s the latest and most interesting feature in iTunes 10. Follow both your friends and artists. Find out who’s upto what. Who likes what kind of music and which artist is doing a live concert nearby you next month. All of this info is available via iTunes now. Musical fandom got promoted to a whole new level.
Earlier we used to share our favorite music via Facebook and Twitter. Now we have it built right into our most favorite desktop music player. Not just that, Ping is coming to the iPhone and iPod iTunes app too.
Alright, I’m in. Where do i Begin?
Open up iTunes 10 and Click on Ping in the Left pane under Store. Alternatively, you can go to iTunes Store like you always do and click on Ping in top-right corner.
First time you access Ping, iTunes will ask you to turn the Ping Feature ON. Click on Turn on Ping
Next, you’ll be asked to sign in to your iTunes account. If you have one well and good else create one right there.
Once you’re thru with iTunes credentials and you accept updated iTunes Terms of Service you will be asked to edit a minimal profile of yours. Add your name, gender and a display picture.
Click on Next, and iTunes will ask you about how you want your Music updates to work. Confused? It’s pretty simple. You can either ask iTunes to display all your music info(this includes music you like, purchase, review etc.) automatically, manually or never. I choose to go manually for now.
Click on Next and now you choose your Privacy Settings. I’m glad they have kept it simple for now. Choose whether or not you allow followers. My advice: go for followers with required approval from you.
And you’re done.. Ready to use Ping.
What should You do now?
The Ping homepage will now have some suggestions for you like
Recommended Artists to Follow
Recent Activity is pretty much same as what you have in Facebook feeds. Stuff from your friends and Artists.
Adding Friends
How to add friends? You can search using e-mail or use your existing Facebook account.
Click on Facebook Connect and enter your Facebook credentials.
If you’re lucky you’ll find people on Ping. I was too early so found none for obvious reasons.
Places to go on Ping
We already covered Recent Activity. Your profile will show your activity and people you follow.
People page shows people you follow and those who follow you. It also has new suggestions depending on your profile.
Featured tab contains information about happening and active artists over Ping.
That’s it. All Ping wisdom acquired.
Conclusion:
By now you must have already noticed the following things:
Ping’s Social Design – Designed pretty much on the lines of Facebook and Twitter. You follow people and they follow you back. Birds of same music flock together.
Lack of Content & Creatures - There’s isn’t much available right now here. Less artists, lesser friends. So you can make a profile here, hibernate for a week and then be back. Don’t underestimate the number of iTunes users. It’s way over 160 million.
Music search made easy - Music suggestion will now have more of a personal touch. No more relying just on genius suggestions. Check out what people around you are listening to and what’s hot and happening.
Tell us how you benefitted from this tutorial. If you get stuck somewhere, feel free to ask. Ciao.
For more info on iTunes Ping head over to the official page here.
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for this. What I wanna know is can you reserve your preferred username as you would do for twitter etc?
so far from what i have seen there is no username as such. its just your name and email. the unique identifier is your iTunes account.
Yes. In fact i failed to qualify that I mean “artist page” (still hadnt read enough to know that’s what their calling it for musicians). Doesn’t seem to be much info about how bands and musicians can claim their artist page, even if you’re already selling on itunes. Guess it’s early days yet.
very true Seamus. We’ll have to wait for a while now and watch it unroll.
I have downloads itunes 10 and joined ping but cannot see how to connect to facebook to find friends. WHere is the facebook connect button? I’m in the UK – is this a US only feature?
there is not “ping” on my iTunes 10 and where can I Click on Ping in the Left pane under ??
there is no button for ping..
are you sure Hendri? why don’t you show us a screenshot. maybe we can help then
they are apparently having some issues. facebook button has vanished for several users
i’m very sure!
file:///C:/Users/Hendri/Pictures/Capture.JPG
how to send pictures?
give me ur email
Need to know how to sign up as an artist. Can’t find it anywhere. If you find it, let us know.
Thanks!
that information hasn’t been made available by Apple yet. You’ll gave to wait. If you’re really impatient write to Apple Marketing at itunesmarketing@apple.com something will appear via iTunes Connect soon.
sent
where are you from. it might happen that its not available in your country. on the page that you sent me scroll down to bottom right corner, click on flag change country to USA and then send me a screenshot again
`O________O’
WELL IT SUCCEED !!! THX A MILLION!
my iTunes is now available!
then.. why do i have to send u the screentshot again?
Click the iTunes store and see if it appears. My Ping menu option wasn’t there till I click itunes store.
but there is a bad news…
T_____T
when i signed in it says your account was only available in Indonesia…
I’m from Indonesia, I created apple account and putting country = Indonesia
how is it?
So where is the Facebook connect button????
I’ve got a problem. I just installed th enew iTunes, but i don’t have the ping button.. anywhere… what should I do?
@natalija
go to iTunes preferences > general > Show Ping (tick the box) > press Ok.
you can both show or hide it from this pane.
hey i m from Myanmar
n i think ping bottom is not available in my country
is there anyway to find a ping bottom on my intune?????