Talks for Ping's Facebook support lasted over 18 months
updated 04:25 pm EDT, Tue September 21, 2010
Integration launched without Facebook's consent
Apple and Facebook were in discussions for 18 months or more before the launch of Ping, according to a source described as familiar with the talks. For a very brief time after the service's debut, Ping contained Facebook links, even though Apple did not have the necessary permission. Facebook subsequently blocked Ping, although Apple CEO Steve Jobs has claimed the links were omitted because of "onerous terms" being demanded.
Facebook is now thought to be an increasingly difficult company to partner with. "Working with Facebook as a large company is challenging at this stage, very similar to mid-late-90s Microsoft," a Silicon Valley veteran comments. The company is said to be cooperative with some startups, but potentially demanding and even rough when faced with other large corporations.
Beyond cutting off Ping, Facebook has for instance prevented Twitter from establishing hooks, and developed a rocky relationship with FarmVille creator Zynga.
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Joined: Aug 2001
Hmmm
Based on the information I've read here and elsewhere (and FB being notoriously secretive), I have to think that Facebook is the real problem here. Eighteen MONTHS to get permission to link music lovers to Facebook? Seriously? This should have taken all of 18 DAYS, and only THAT long because lawyers would be involved.
Should FB ever decide to tell its side of the story, I'll keep an open mind, but I think the last paragraph of the MacNN story tells the tale here.