Steve Jobs: Facebook had "onerous terms" for Ping
He didn't elaborate, obviously, but you can see in Facebook's public documentation that Apple probably wouldn't have appreciated handing any more of its network over to Facebook than it did. All Ping seems to be at this point is a system of "liking" certain content (specifically on the iTunes Store, to the frustration of many of us who want to do it directly from our personal library of music), and if Facebook required that all of the "like" buttons went their way, you can see why Jobs wouldn't agree.
Turns out that even after Ping's launch, things got even more fractious between the two companies -- Apple did kick off Ping with the option to add friends with Facebook Connect, but Facebook blocked access when it was discovered that Apple wasn't playing by the rules. It's actually an open service, unless Facebook decides that it isn't, and apparently Apple's Ping network was an unwelcome guest with a lot of traffic since Apple didn't come to terms with FB ahead of time. Apple removed the service from Ping, but you'll still see some notes around suggesting you can bring in friends from Facebook.
So. Looks like Ping is already making a splash with much larger social networks. If Apple can build up its network without using Facebook's services, it seems much less likely that they'll find a way to share users in the future. As you can see above, Facebook is still implemented on iTunes, in the form of sharing albums and songs that you like, but it's completely separate from what's been built for Ping.
Despite the sour start to the social mixup between Ping and FB, Engadget suggests that conversations between the two companies are still ongoing. It may not be long before all this is a hearty laugh between friends.
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Steve Jobs was surprisingly candid with All Things Digital's Kara Swisher yesterday -- he reportedly told her that both Facebook and Apple...
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Re: "hearty laugh between friends": let's just stop projecting human qualities on corporate entities right here. Neither Apple nor Facebook have many redeeming qualities in the ways in which they operate - that there is an (inherently valuable) human face to it shouldn't distract you. Jobs and the design/tech/culture they sell isn't Apple, Facebook is not your friends. Both companies are just selling our own values/qualities back to us when we choose to/are able to let them. Big difference!
September 03 2010 at 3:45 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyTo euopean users like me this feels like the so-manieth attempt of Apple to allow users only to listen to music in the itunes store, force them into the store literally. what's the next step: Disable the option to import music you allready own? Apple TV almost went that way too with their rental only policy now.
For listening music I moved to Spotify, and since a proper video on demand service is not available in most of europe's countries for video i turned to usenet..
way to go apple & friends..
All iDevices do is funnel people to the iStore, from hardware to software and content. That's what any company would do to generate profit and that's great for them but let's stop defending them like they care about us users.
September 03 2010 at 8:52 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyKick facebook to the curb!
September 02 2010 at 10:51 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI deleted my FB account a while ago, and I am unlikely to us Ping in iTunes, as it just doesn't have the sort of content I listen to.
My personal take on the squabble is that Apple scored a PR coup and FB is just going to get a verbal kicking from its users. I would imagine that a big percentage of iTunes subscribers are already using FB and/or Twitter, so the traffic hitting FB isn't going to grind things to a halt.
If I had to choose between Apple and FB when it comes to safeguarding privacy, I know 100% that I am not going to register a new account with FB.
I hate to say it, but Ping is just a new way for Apple to sell music through iTunes, using YOU as a free salesperson. Seriously - you point your friends to products on their store - that's Ping in a nutshell.
It's a shame too, because it could be so much more.
...but let me add, I agree with the others that Apple was smart in not giving in to Facebook.
Who ever thought it would be wise to let a 20-something with demonstrated moral problems run a company? He doesn't just have occasional moral lapses, he's a textbook sociopath - you can tell he genuinely does not understand what everyone is so worried about. Their investors are f'in idiots if they let that douchebag stay at the helm of a $1B+ company.
Check out the "Social Networking" section on Apple's Safari 5 Extensions page. Almost all of the recommended extensions have something to do with "improving" Facebook or hiding Facebook references on other pages. I'm guessing Facebook isn't thrilled with this either. Gotta love these public squabbles between huge corporations. Hatfields and the McCoys.
September 02 2010 at 9:07 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyApple is smart not to agree to terms being demanded by a company run by sociopathic management. Somewhere down the line Facebook's ethical deficit will get them into big trouble and Apple is wise not to get into a position where FB will drag Apple down with them.
Were ethics are concerned, I think FB ranks way down there alongside Enron and Halliburton.
yeah facebook wanted to test for a week and not ask any privacy clearance and Apple said...Not happening Mark!
Good for Apple. Facebook is popular, but footloose and fancy free with people's information. Apple isn't. There's a big difference as Steve said during his D8 appearance 'We take privacy very seriously, unlike some others in the Valley". IOW...Get a clue Zuckerberg.
Sheesh.
Wait a minute, Facebook had onerous terms and Apple didn't like it. That is the pot calling the kettle here. Seriously Apple puts on some seriously onerous terms as well, just look no further than their T&C's on anything but especially their developers.
September 02 2010 at 8:52 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyHot Apps on TUAW
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