Apple’s Ping debuted on Wednesday with the release of iTunes 10. The social network for music looked pretty impressive during Apple’s Special Event and sent record numbers to the unrelated ping.fm. In practice though, Ping’s had a rough start.

Initially Ping allowed users to use Facebook Connect to find friends that were also using the service, but as of Thursday morning the Facebook connect option was gone. AllthingsD reported that Facebook turned off Apple’s access to the friend finding features in the API due to the high volume of requests. Normally special permission to access this feature is not required, but the load that 160 million iTunes users can put API requires a special deal and preparation.

Now reports are coming out, just the second morning after launch, that the service is already crammed full of spammers. I decided to check out these claims myself, clicked into U2’s profile page and expanded one comment thread:

Four out of the eight visible posts are spam. Michael is very persistant … even after Christine and Juan recommended he go to hell. There seems to be a complete lack of a spam filter at this point. At least there are lots of opportunities to get a free iPhone (Don’t actually try to get a free iPhone this way, it won’t work).

We will see if Apple can get this all ironed out. How are you using Ping? Are you using Ping? What can we expect to hear tomorrow?

If you were already a member of the Apple family before today you had the unique opportunity to live stream the Apple Special event. I tuned into the event on my iPad and was immediately impressed with the pre-event production values. The number of cameras and the way they panned the crowd reminded me of an award show. Instead of focusing on celebrities the cameras were turned to all the different apple devices audience members were using. They did show a lot on the Woz though. Now, having access to this live stream made me think for a brief moment that I should live blog the event … but only for a brief moment.

Many rumors were confirmed today. Steve Jobs presented some iOS updates, including 4.1 which will be coming next week and 4.2 which will be out in November with an iPad focus. One of the bigger updates coming next week is the inclusion of HDR photography which actually takes three images; one in normal mode, one over exposed and one under exposed. Then the images are combined to optimize the image. Both the normal image and the optimized image will be saved in your pictures. Next weeks update will also see bug fixes, HD video upload over WiFi, TV Show rentals and Game Center. iOS 4.2 will finally bring the iPad up to speed introducing a couple handy features including wireless printing and AirPlay which will allow you to stream content to your Apple TV.

The iPod line was refreshed from head to toe. The Shuffle has buttons again and is smaller than ever. The Nano had a drastic change, switching to a small multi touch display and including many features from the Shuffle including the clip. As expected the iPod Touch is taking on many iPhone featurs including cameras for face time and a retina display. The Touch will also take advantage of all the iOS updates. Each device boasts enhanced batter life.

We were expecting some kind of move from iTunes toward the cloud and social. What we got was the introduction of iTunes 10 and Ping, “Facebook and Twitter meet iTunes” the music social network. iTunes appeared simplified and streamlined many of the social features mimicked the kind of interactions we can expect on Facebook, but oriented around music. iTunes 10 and Ping will be available to today so you can jump in to the music social network with two feet.

The second generation of Apple TV debuted and was presented as a “hobby” but kept its old name. This version of the product boasted a much smaller form factor than the previous generation, almost a quarter of the size, and a much smaller price tag, $99. This generation ignores storage and focuses on a rental model for content. First run movies will cost $4.99 per rental and HD TV shows will be $.99 although only two studios have signed on for that pricing model, FOX and ABC. Jobs did promise that others will follow. The Netflix integration appeared seamless and superior to the experience on PS3 or XBOX 360 and the AirPlay feature in iOS 4.2 will allow smooth media transitions between iOS devices and Apple TV.

The whole event can be watched here (assuming you have a Apple device to watch it on) including a closing set by Coldplay’s lead singer, Chris Martin, who at one point was commended to play “another one” by Steve Jobs.

Did anything surprise you from the announcements today? Was anything missing?

Well friends, it’s that time of year again. Apple is holding a “Special Event” on Wednesday September 1st. Rumors are flying about what will be revealed at the event. Typically the fall event focuses on music, so we can expect iPod refreshes. Engadget has an overview of all the product rumors that have come out thus far.

Images of third party cases have been popping up that seem to confirm some of the rumors. The iPod Nano appears to be getting a 1.7 inch touch screen and the iPod Touch is getting a make over with a front facing camera.

We may also see an announcements regarding a iTV/Apple TV and possibly an iTunes move toward the cloud.

Now we’ve done our part to spread the rumors and generate more Apple buzz. The event will take place on Wednesday at 10:00 AM PST and there will be lots of organizations live blogging as it happens. And remember to keep an eye out for your obligatory Apple email after the event confirming how amazing their new products really are.

Yesterday Apple announced the buyer of the 10 billionth song on iTunes.  Louie Sulcer, a 71 year old man from Woodstock, Georgia purchased “Guess Things Happen That Way” by Johnny Cash.  Last year, Sulcer, received his first iPod Nano.  As part of the process of winning the billionth song, Steve Jobs called Sulcer to congratulate him and said “Congratulations this is Steve Jobs, of Apple,” which Sulcer quickly responded with “Right. You’re not Steve Jobs” [via CBSNews].  Sulcer explained his surly reaction to Rolling Stone stating that ”I have a son that loves to play tricks and he does that every now and then — calls me and imitates somebody.” Rolling Stone reports that after much confusion and doubt, Sulcer asked Jobs “Come on now, who is this.”

I am glad that this 71 year old man bought the 10 billionth song because I may have been peeved if the 10 billionth song bought on iTunes was from a 12 year old Justin Bieber fan.  While I must give Bieber credit for his catchy “One Time” song , I was glad that Sulcer, who does not seem to be the main target audience of iTunes users, won this award.  When he called his daughter to tell her the news, Sulcer’s daughter asked him what he was going to buy with this prize, and he said ““I don’t even want to look right now. I just went to bed” [via GoingLike Sixty].  While this slightly cantankerous and disgruntled man won this prize that he could do without, it made me wonder, what will he do with this iTunes card?

If you had a $10,000 iTunes gift card, what songs would you buy?

Here is my top ten song selection:

1.  ”Don’t Change” – Musiq Soulchild

2.  ”I Won’t Disagree” – Kate Voegele

3.  ”Black Hole Sun” – Sound Garden

4.  ”Two Weeks” – Grizzly Bears

5.  ”Can’t Stop” – Maroon 5

6.  ”Beards” – The Dodos

7.  ”Uprising” – Muse

8.  ”Cocaine” – Robin Thicke

9.  ”Imma Be” – Black Eyed Peas

10. “One Time” – Justin Bieber (Guilty pleasure…judge away.  You know you want it too.)

[image via WardChurchillTrial]