When I read the write up on Ping I was excited to try it out. I already use last.fm as a way of exploring new music based on recommendations of friends. iTunes is my main music player, so it made sense to have that sort of functionality built in to the tools I’m already using.

My first issue is that the “Music I Like” feature has pre-filled it with my purchases from iTunes store. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m sometimes not very discriminating when making purchases, so I don’t always “like” everything that I buy.

Basing this on purchases and not my actual listening habits seems a bit limiting. You cannot Like in Ping a track that is playing, only show purchases, reviews, ratings and likes on the iTunes store. Compare my profile on last.fm:

What I’ve listened to and what I like. Based on my actual music library, not how I’ve navigated around their store.

What would have make Ping really useful, was if your music library details were uploaded (or just linked with the already uploaded Genius details) so that you could see how many of your friends have the same music, if they listen to it, like it, recommend it. Something like this perhaps:

That would be far more interesting and useful than seeing what other people have bought or reviewed on the iTunes store.