But Facebook has a client accessible in every platform out there and it is even accessible by a common browser, whereas with Ping I will need iTunes or an Apple device/software to use, also it probably will not have an API.
I think Apple is just making things to profit more as a content distributor that it is becoming, Ping and the new AppleTV is just pointing in this direction, at least for me.
A lot of people already have iTunes ... not to mention with 230,000 new iOS activations a day they're coming pre-armed with massive traction.
They could take it in a whole lot of different directions but nothing about iTunes is aimed at filling some tiny little niche. Why would they bother aiming so low now?
Sure there are ways to Apple amass a large user base with Ping, but I think it is hard to fight with the extensible, and relatively open, Facebook that can be accessed from any browser, I see no point for someone that does not use iTunes Store, an iOS device or iTunes installing iTunes only to use Ping.
I think that initially Apple does want to use it to profit more with areas that they already are strong and also gather some experience running a social network, and them expanding it, maybe with user media sharing and an API. I think games and apps will be a next focus areas for Ping.
It is more powerful than the follows in Facebook & Twitter for artists as it leads to direct buy $$ from their fans. They will definitely pay attention to Ping. I bet it will open up to movie stars, actors and authors in future.
If I'm not wrong, Ping could be just HTML pages within iTunes, as with some iTunes contents. So it is not difficult to be a standalone web app if Apple choose to.
As I explained here previously, artists don't really get paid on album sales (or mp3 sales) due to various reasons. Besides TV/Radio broadcasts, what they really care about is concerts (live performances) and concert attendance and Facebook and Twitter are both excellent tools to raise some noise before gigs. It looks like Apple understands that.
I think Apple is just making things to profit more as a content distributor that it is becoming, Ping and the new AppleTV is just pointing in this direction, at least for me.