Download the
Tom's Guide App from the AppsStore
News and trends on internet
/ mobile / "sound & picture" / IT
Yes No
Ads

Facebook Blocked Apple's Ping Network

- By - Source : Tom's Guide US

Looks like Apple and Facebook have a few details to iron out.

Unnamed sources are claiming that Facebook is currently blocking Apple's Ping service because it violates Facebook's terms of service. Because of this, Apple has apparently delayed Ping's Facebook Connect feature.

According to reports, Facebook originally denied Apple's new social network access to application programming interfaces (API) that allowed Ping to hunt down an iTunes user's Facebook friend who had also signed up for Ping. Typically the API is open and doesn't require permission unless a 3rd party needs to access Facebook excessively.

Because of Ping's excessive requirement, Facebook and Apple went into negotiations. Apparently the two could not reach an agreement, leading Facebook to suggest that Ping users could add friends by performing a search or send an email.

Steve Jobs reportedly described Facebook's demands as "onerous terms," however the Facebook Connect feature remained in place during Wednesday's presentation and after iTunes 10 became available. Sources claim that Apple went ahead and accessed the Facebook API freely anyway, however Facebook eventually blocked Ping, leading Apple to temporarily discontinue the Facebook Connect feature.

Both parties are said to be back into negotiations, possibly to incorporate a more "robust" Facebook Connect feature later in the future.

"Facebook believes in connecting people with their interests and we’ve partnered with innovative developers around the world who share this vision," Facebook said in a statement. "Facebook and Apple have cooperated successfully in the past to offer people great social experiences and we look forward to doing so in the future."

Share:
26
Comments
X

Comments

jimmysmitty 09/04/2010 2:46 AM
Hide
-16+

Probably not a bad idea for Facebook to block them until Apple gets a hold on all the scams and spam.

Wait..... they probably never will.

Agges 09/04/2010 2:54 AM
Hide
-20+

"Onerous terms" are quite lopsided coming from the CEO of a company that insists on unidirectional EULAs.

eklipz330 09/04/2010 3:36 AM
Hide
-9+

hmm, actually it looks like apple wants a piece of the social pie

but if im right, facebook will probably release their own version of this, and keep the upper hand

HibyPrime 09/04/2010 4:00 AM
Hide
-3+

Theres gotta be a way stop those spammers...

On topic: Isn't this grounds for a lawsuit? Apple asked Facebook if it could use it's APIs for a specific purpose, Facebook effectively said no, then Apple did it anyway. They got sued over a similar issue with the iPhone name...

Also, it seems a bit weird to call them an API, but I suppose thats the best fit. How about a new term? Maybe OWI (Open Web Interface) ?

nforce4max 09/04/2010 4:08 AM
Hide
-10+

This is why I don't do Apple nor Facebook.

nightcrawl3r 09/04/2010 4:09 AM
Show
Furylicious 09/04/2010 4:46 AM
Hide
-10+

Uh oh, Drama!11!!

Both companies are a complete joke.

f-14 09/04/2010 4:59 AM
Hide
-8+

yes i quite agree, i hope the spammers and hackers take them both down in utter iflames

Anonymous 09/04/2010 6:03 AM
Hide
-4+

"Please Facebook, let us steal your user base from you by integrating facebook friends with Ping."

Typical Apple, wants everything, gives nothing. Don't like it? Jobs will just tell you to piss off.

eddieroolz 09/04/2010 6:10 AM
Hide
-10+

Apple at its best!

"They blocked us? Who the hell cares. Just use it anyway."

falchard 09/04/2010 7:27 AM
Hide
-5+

Apple is going to get SUED. Someone has already trademarked Ping.

hellwig 09/04/2010 9:19 AM
Hide
-6+

LOL, so let me get this straight. Facebook has policies in place for accessing its API. Apple wanted to work around those policies, but couldn't come to an agreement with Facebook, so in the end, they jailbroke facebook did it anyway and then were surprised when they got banned? Gosh, I guess it doesn't feel so great to get bullied yourself, now does it Apple?

spectrewind 09/04/2010 9:47 AM
Hide
-5+

Agges :
"Onerous terms" are quite lopsided coming from the CEO of a company that insists on unidirectional EULAs.



Exactly. Too bad the unknowing/ignorant general public continues to buy from him.

Vladislaus 09/04/2010 10:36 AM
Hide
-4+

falchard :
Apple is going to get SUED. Someone has already trademarked Ping.



When was the last time that Apple chose an original name?

drwho1 09/04/2010 2:20 PM
Hide
-2+

good! it was time for apple to take the bite - pun intended.

ajaygeorge007 09/04/2010 2:24 PM
Hide
-2+

REVENGE UNLEASHED!!!!

bochica 09/04/2010 6:48 PM
Hide
-0+

Read guys. It says the API is typically open, meaning Apple (or anyone else) has access in the first place without permission. However, Facebook denied Ping because it was asking for excessive access to Facebook which is not allowed. When Apple did not conform to the requests of Facebook, they were then blocked. Apple didn't have to do any "jail-breaking" or any work around to use Facebook Connect.

screechy 09/05/2010 1:10 AM
Hide
-1+

I'm surprised the apple goon squad hasn't broken in to facebook central and forced the service agreement.

Agges 09/05/2010 1:24 AM
Hide
-1+

Apple just got their new product line handed to them, the iDrama - better entertainment than you can ever find elsewhere.

THEfog101 09/05/2010 11:52 AM
Hide
-1+

falchard :
Apple is going to get SUED. Someone has already trademarked Ping.



Yeah, any command line console lol jokes

back_by_demand 09/05/2010 1:26 PM
Hide
-0+

Vladislaus :
When was the last time that Apple chose an original name?


Maybe they should rename it to iPing
Maybe

damiano13mg 09/05/2010 11:59 PM
Hide
-2+

Apple vs. FB ?? I'm taking bets!

Vladislaus 09/06/2010 9:07 AM
Hide
-0+

thefog101 :
Yeah, any command line console lol jokes



http://www.ping.com/

Griffolion 09/06/2010 2:06 PM
Hide
-0+

Next up: "Jobs' Head Smashed in by Disgruntled Golf Club Manufacturer CEO Over Name Dispute with New Line of Irons"

nodeffect 09/07/2010 5:11 AM
Hide
-0+

yes, kill apple !

Jimmy22 09/07/2010 12:07 PM
Hide
-0+

@ Agges and all

I like the idea of iDrama. But it should be a comedy...i it being a bit like a mix of "the office" and in the "think of it"