Ping

Last week's iTunes 10.1 update brought increased functionality (including Airplay), but Apple has also updated its iTunes app for the iPad to include Ping, the new social networking function attached to iTunes.

Ping on the iPad works similarly to Ping on your computer or the iPhone; the app will be updated automatically with no need to download an update. While initial adoption of Ping has been slow, now that the social networking service is both on the iPad and linked with users' Twitter accounts, Apple is likely hoping that even more iTunes users will take advantage of the service.

Ping, the social element of Apple's iTunes, hasn't exactly taken off since its introduction in September. After Ping users were blocked from importing Facebook friends, the service became completely stand-alone, perhaps discouraging potential users. But now, Ping has partnered with Twitter to help fans share and discover music within their social network.

Starting today, Twitter will include Ping activity, song previews, and links to purchase and download music from the iTunes store in users' tweets (should they choose to enable the service). Additionally, linking your Ping and Twitter accounts makes it easy to find Twitter friends and contacts who are using Ping, so you can expand your network of music-loving friends.

This week's Apple announcements yielded lots of new developments, and afterward, I was curious to find out what you thought about the exciting event. It seems iPods were all the rage with 55 percent of the vote — I'm not surprised, are you? Here's what else you had to say:

• "I love that the iPod Nano has a clip. "He" has been wanting one for so long, one that just clips so he can go on his runs. Already ordered one for my hubby with an engraving. Can't wait for him to get it." — Honeylicious
• "Really underwhelmed. It's getting worse and worse. " — thecolor
• "New iPod Touch with cameras, YAY! The rest of the stuff, meh. Definitely NOT interested in iTunes becoming yet another social networking tool." — Elfyn

See the rest of the community's reactions, and add your own after the break.

• Facebook blocks Apple from Ping — Switched
• Facebook will also allow you to kick yourself off of other devices — Gizmodo
• "Rock Soap Opera" may not be what you think it is — Urlesque
• Google Wave lives on (in a box) — Lifehacker

Today, Apple announced iTunes 10, one of the biggest overhauls of the service so far. iTunes 10 will not only come with a new logo, but will also be stocked with a cool new feature called Hybrid View, which shows album artwork within your music lists. The rumored social network integration is a rumor no more, as Ping, a social network for music, was unveiled as well. Steve Jobs described it like Facebook and Twitter for music. You can follow your favorite artists and friends, as well as see what they're listening to and downloading, and even get a custom top 10 album chart for the top stuff downloaded from your friends on iTunes.

Steve showed off Lady Gaga's page, including her feeds, latest activity, downloads, and upcoming concerts, which looked a lot like a Facebook news feed, but with the classic iTunes styling.

Read about Ping's security features after the jump.