Apple debuted iTunes10 with Ping, commercial-free TV shows for 99 cents, and AirPlay wireless music playback on remote speakers.
Ping lets you follow your favorite artists to see what they’re up to, check out photos and videos they’ve posted, see their tour dates and read comments about other artists and albums they’re listening to.
“iTunes is the number one music community in the world, with over 160
million iTunes users in 23 countries, and now we’re adding social
networking with Ping,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “With Ping you can
follow your favorite artists and friends and join a worldwide
conversation with music’s most passionate fans.”
Ping lets you create a profile on iTunes to let your friends know who you’re following, what you’re listening to and which concerts you’re going to. Ping’s Recent Activity feed shows friends posts about artists, albums, songs and concerts, plus a consolidated Top 10 list of the songs and albums your friends and the artists you follow are downloading from iTunes.
In addition to using Ping on your desktop computer, you can take it with you on your iPhone or iPod touch,so you’re always plugged into your personal music scene.
iTunes 10 also features AirPlay wireless music playback to listen to your music on remote speakers using Apple’s AirPort Express base station. In addition, AirPlay now works without AirPort Express, using speakers, receivers and stereo systems from companies including Bowers & Wilkins, JBL, Denon and iHome, so you can enjoy your entire iTunes music library wirelessly from any room in the house with no extra gear required.