PING and Apple are working together on a new feature in Apple’s iTunes called “social music discovery.”

I’m not sure what PING and Apple have to do with discovering social music so stand by while I try to figure out just what they’re doing.

Clarification

Now that I’ve read deeper, it appears that Apple and PING are not working from a physical product standpoint.  It appears that PING owns the rights to any social network using the name PING so Apple must have reached out to them.  Apple’s new Ping is simply a new music social network where you can follow artists and the artists your friends follow.

Ping test drive = FAIL

Okay, after another hour I must say I’m not terribly impressed with Apple’s Ping.  After setting up a profile, in which attempting to upload two different JPG’s for my profile image failed, I selected the following genres of music which I like: Rock, jazz and blues.  There was no METAL or even just heavy rock selection, which is lame.  That’s my main genre.

After setting up rock-jazz-blues, Ping’s first suggestion for me was Lady Gaga.  Um, that is not rock, jazz or blues.  Selection #2 for me, based on my rock-jazz-blues selection was Yo-Yo Ma, a classical cellist.  Last time I checked, classical cello music isn’t in the rock-jazz-blues genre.  Selection #3 (stop me any time) was Katy Perry, bubble gum pop.  If I listened to that for more than 9 seconds I think my head would explode.

I’m sorry Apple (and/or PING), but Ping in it’s current state is a definite FAIL.  NONE of the artists the engine selected for me were anywhere near the style I’m looking for, and once again METAL was not listed as a category I could select.  FAIL.

Ping’s press release below

September 1, 2010; Phoenix, Arizona: PING and its parent company, Karsten Manufacturing Corporation, announced today that they have entered into an agreement with Apple under which Apple will use the PING trademark in connection with Apple’s innovative new social music discovery feature in iTunes. Apple introduced the iTunes PING feature today.

Founded in 1959, PING is a famous premium brand that holds more than 1000 trademark registrations around the world, many related to golf equipment. The company also owns trademark rights in PING for social networking and other online services.

This announcement involves two companies that were founded by visionaries who created products that greatly impacted their industries. Karsten Solheim invented the PING® putter in his Redwood City, California garage and went on to revolutionize the golf equipment industry. The groundbreaking first Apple® computer was developed in nearby Palo Alto in 1976.

“We are pleased to enter into this agreement with Apple,” said John Solheim, Chairman and CEO of Karsten Manufacturing Corporation and PING. “Like PING, Apple carries a reputation for innovation and quality. I have always had great respect for companies that have changed and improved the ways things are done and I continue to model PING along those lines. Apple is a truly great example of this kind of enterprise.”

Welcome to the other side. Performance should be greatly increased!

You don’t need to stand in line at the Apple Store or at an AT&T dealer to get your new iPhone 4.  They’ll be available at Wal-Mart, Radio Shack and Best Buy.