Tech giants music streaming service may bring Ping back from the dead

folarin okunola

May 14, 2015 4:23 PM

A lot of rumors have surrounded an Apple streaming service, now assumed to be announced in June with the name “Apple Music”, but this is the first report of a Ping function within it.

Steve Jobs launching the Ping social network.

Apple shut down its short-lived social network Ping back in 2012, but the tech company could be bringing it back as a part its popularly rumored music streaming service, according to a new report.

According to 9to5Mac, a new beta version of iOS 8.4 incudes a hidden setting for “artist activity” within the music app. This would allow fans to see what their favorite artists are listening to and view related content, the report said.

These capabilities are very similar to what Ping offered back when it was initially launched, nut it just never held ground even amongst Apple fanatics.

With the rollout of Apple Music – previously rumored to be called Apple Beats – Ping’s capabilities may finally find a home. The music streaming service is likely to debut at Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), which kicks off June 8 in San Francisco. The service is believed to use Beats' content and technology and will work across iPhone, iPad, iTunes on the desktop and Apple TV (not desktop). The rumored monthly cost is supposed to be $7.99, compared to Spotify Premium's $9.99 a month offering.

Apple reportedly acquired Beats for $3 billion, making it the most expensive acquisition in the company’s history.

folarin okunola