Again, this is nothing but a very vague rumor for the time being, but it’s also very interesting. Following up on its iTunes 9 rumors, Boy Genius Report claims to have new details from the same trusted source about what iTunes 9, and specifically the social aspects of it, will entail.
As expected, the tipster says you’ll be able to broadcast songs you’re listening to out to various social networks. But the really interesting thing is the reference to some new social application that Apple is supposedly getting ready to launch. It’s not clear at all if this would be a desktop app or an iPhone app, but it is said to be something that consolidates your various social networking activity from around the web into one place.
Is Apple planning a FriendFeed-killer after Facebook has already essentially killed FriendFeed? That would certainly give the team a good reason to sell, if they caught wind of that. But who knows, it could be anything, or it could very well be nothing. Hopefully we all know by now how rumors, especially Apple rumors, work.
Regardless of what Apple has in store, if there are social elements added to iTunes, it will be a big move for the company. Right now, they basically have absolutely no social strategy beyond a bit of Facebook and Flickr integration in iPhoto. And yes, there are plenty of apps that use Facebook Connect, but that has basically nothing to do with Apple itself.
is it a rumor that you *heard* or one that you created? seems to me they should just buy twitter to save them from their misery
Twitter is too simple for Apple, no bells or whistles.
Too simple? Apple specializes in simple. Mail, iCal, notes on the iPhone. Simple, simple simple.
Honestly, sometimes I wonder if people ever think before talking.
I think he meant to say “too free”
I heard from a buddy that iTunes was looking at a new startup called Jamwee as a possible social app.
Wrong, Apple specialise in making things easy to use and sweet on the eye. To cite “notes on the iPhone” as an example is ludicrous, in that case Microsoft are ALL about the simple – just look at notepad!
Honestly, sometimes I wonder if people ever think before replying *shakes head*.
dont you love when you find out that news in this site are in fact a blog?
I doubt Apple would be interested in Twitter.
However, I might be dreaming but It would be cool to see twitter Integrated with iPhone’s SMS app
What about this: http://tinycomb...tatus-updates/?
This was the first article suggesting somesort of social features entering the iPhone, iTunes gang. however, in the contact list though.
Possibilities:
1. Apple buys Windows Live from Microsoft and renames it Apple Live.
2. Apple implements a Google Wave protocol client
3. Apple buys FaceBook
is laughter the correct response?
+1 Apple doesn’t mess with too many loss leaders.
Apple can develop social application but it can’t sale Google voice application in his store.
Why?
because apple is a business and not a toothfairy.
+1
Best reply I’ve seen in a long while.
Apple is know to be legend killer. Whatever is really hot apple comes up with something so cool(though in last few months they are getting arrogant..the whole iphone episod) but everyone had to admit iphone was the coolest device.
Now as social media is the next big thing so apple will do it much bigger in better as Jobs understand users very well.
I just hope they would allow it to get integrated with other platform otherwise it gone be a big mistake.
MG,
How about Apple going the http://Appsfire.com way?
I think that’s definitely possible since there is no way to recommend apps to friends/etc through the Appstore other having to do a search, then click to the app page and “Tell a friend”. Imagine if you have a list of 10 apps that you want to share. How much you have to go through with that?
Appfire is nice, but is somehow lacking. The only way I see how this could get any traction is “share and recommend” apps on the iPhone and only Apple has the golden key to that unless they decided to release an API for that in the SDK. However doing that would probably cause privacy issues.
i await a platform where social interaction leads to purchases, now that would be news, because all (except Netlog and a few other smaller ones) social platforms have one thing in common so far: no ROI.
i’m going to wait for that…
IMO – Twitter would not be a wise way to go for Apple – Sure the thing is big, but I have hard time finding the real value for Apple in this acquisition. It would just be an ride on the bandwagon with no added value for the brand.
It would be more reasonable for apple to include some social media features in new versions of their applications (desktop or iphone). This rumor could turn out to be true.
Can apple not come up with an application / platform that can include the advantages of online communities?
That would imply Apple users have friends to communicate with though.
Aside from their mirrors I mean.
I’ve heard that it’s very similar to existing social networks, except Apple have to approve all your friends.
Personally I think if Apple is going to do anything it would be more of a Pandora style competitor. Maybe trying to improve on their genius software within iTunes. I can see them allowing you to share your iTunes status with Facebook as well but not much more than that.
Before they do that can they tell me whats happened to my app that I submitted to the App Store 1 month and 2 weeks ago???
My website http://www.appgiveaway.com can still be accessed via an iPhone and iPod Touch device with an internet connection however I am waiting for my iPhone app version of the website but Apple are dragging their heels and have not even emailed me as yet!
Do you think this new Apple social app will make it into the App Store? I wouldnt be surprised if someone within Apple reject their own app!
Interesting. I’m a pretty big Apple fan/user, but I’ve had the feeling that for the average user (who probably mostly uses the internet and iTunes, photo/movie editing apps on occasion), their computers are starting to lack the compelling advantage we saw in, say, iLife’s early years (you know, other than not being Vista).
Frankly, I’m not sure how they’ll compete with iGoogle – I can see my Twitter feed, Gmail, chat friends and news headlines all at a glance. Unless they radically outperform my expectations (which Apple rarely does when it comes to web integration), the social network/music listening integration will induce yawns from anyone who’s ever used Lala.
Apple isn’t interested in any social/business network that is non-revenue generating. My guess is they will revamp Mobile Me with social network aggregator since it still generates revenue for Apple.
Noooooo! If they go social they’ll ban my Facebook and Twitter apps!
Probably too late to out facebook facebook though they could have done it if they would have launched a social application with the first iphone. Ahh missed opportunities.
in response to the above comment i agree, i cant see them competing…not sure about this ifriendfeed, very sketchy.
http://www.ibuy...th-iphone-apps/
A social app by Apple? I think they’d better start listening and talking to their customers and stakeholders instead. Apple is being perceived as one of the most anti-social corporations in the world right now.
So if Apple releases their own Social App (esp. for the iPhone), then that would make all of the social apps on the iPhone start violating their TOS, since they would all duplicate the functionality of an Apple app that’s shipped with the iPhone (say w/ v3.1), and then all of THOSE apps would get wacked. That sounds about right.
MG dude you still trust BGR? (2nd day in a row)
That’s like writing the facts for college about something, yet using Wikipedia as source (resource)…
It’s just bunch of bloggers that predict something from top of their head, and their posts are just like any other bloggers post either re-written or bit analyzed from different blogs.
But I still like their blog tho…
On the other hand, is Apple doing some Social thing? I can only see it as being part of the Mac culture…
Meaning:
You buy Apple device (iphone, macbook etc…) and it has integrated app like (Safari) called iSocialThing which looks similar to Twitter, FriendFeed.
I would like apple to buy http://www.seesmic.com (Desktop) from my friend @Loic which I think it would be nice addition to Apple community
I really wish there were more details in this article — Apple entering this space could destroy twitter at least, imo.
As an iPhone App Developer, I have DESPERATELY WANTED Apple to add Social features to iTunes. For example, my application (gpsAssassin, yes a shameless plug http://bit.ly/16Jn68) has 50+ Positive reviews & the store even shows “Other who bought this also bought this”.
However, I actually have comments where people are asking questions. As a developer, its maddening that I can’t respond & help them better enjoy my game.
Moreover, the iTunes ‘Application Homepage’ for gpsAssassin is the ONLY PLACE people go to learn about my game. We created a website at http://www.kill...ourneighbor.com and very few (if any) actually go there. It would be awesome if I could integrate my tweet stream (http://bit.ly/CMF0h) tag into my App’s home page (or perhaps link to my Facebook Fan Page http://bit.ly/QkLUP).
I’m sure the same is true for Artists. Can you imagine the depth of experience for users and artists if iTunes became a central hub for an artist or app developer. I would TOTALLY move all of my items over to the iTunes Social side if it was the primary place people came to purchase/experience my creations.
Instead, I have to promote my app via Facebook, then Twitter, then put up a website, then write a blog on Blogger.com, followed by yadda yadda. Instead, I should be able to use FriendFeed-like features in iTunes to create a better/richer experience for my audience.
At at bare minimum, PLEASE let me respond to the comments on my app
A social platform for apps and games make sense for Apple. There is so many different non-Apple offerings now like plus+ , openfeint, AGON Online, yedda yedda.. wouldn’t Apple want their own version of Xbox Live?
It sounds like Apple is just copying the “social media browser” concept that Kinoma pioneered on mobile with Kinoma Play.
Of course, Apple would never let a 3rd-party app as powerful as Kinoma Play on their phones, so copying is their only real option.
Perhaps a twitter reloaded..!
Look at todays social networks
and think what you want to change. That is your
answer for what the next Apple product can be.
If you like the idea of sharing your favorite songs via Facebook, Twitter, and Email from your iPhone or iPod Touch, check out the Mobile Music Messenger (MMM) app that just went live in the iTunes app store http://bit.ly/mefQp