If you have iTunes, perhaps you remember it's social network called Ping. Ping was shut down last September for failing to gain enough significant attention from iTunes music buyers. Some of Ping's critics claimed that the reason why it failed was a lack of integration with Facebook and Twitter.
Personally, I liked Ping, and as a Ping user, I saw that it was integrated with Facebook and Twitter. Maybe it wasn't to the liking of it's critics, but it was at least enough to let friends and followers at the other two sites know what you were either buying or listening to.
I had only one problem with Ping. I thought that users should have been able to access the network from a web page as well as from the iTunes software. I think that having a way for non iTunes users to see and hear what's going on at iTunes may have helped the network grow.
Now, Spotify is looking to make it's bid at a social network with it's new follow tabs. The new follow tabs are the first step on Spotify's way to becoming a full fledged social network. You can follow your friends as well as the artists whose music you enjoy. Soon, Spotify will add a discover tab which will feature new music from artist that your followers are listening to, as well those that follow you. Whats more, they are going to be introducing a new auto preview feature that will allow you to dip into new music without leaving the music that you are listening to.
Music and social networking seem to be a great match. Making it work has been a bit of a challenge. What better way to find out about new music than though a network of like minded individuals. And what better way to meet these individuals than at a music site that offers you the opportunity to connect with them. Sounds good, but only time, trial, and error will tell us just how it should all come together.
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