iOS 4.2 Release Nears with Availability of Ping for iPad

iTunes fans are reporting that Ping is now available on the iPad, thanks to recent modifications made to the backend of the service. Ping also has Twitter integration now, allowing it to automatically connect to the user’s account and push tweets every time something new is posted.

9to5mac confirms via several tests and screenshots that Ping is now a part of the iPad version of iTunes.

With the iTunes 10 release, Apple introduced its fans to a “social network for music” called Ping, one of several new additions to the latest version of the service.

“Discover new music by going social with Ping,” Apple states on its web site. “Learn even more about your favorite artists and friends starting with their bios. See what they’ve been up to — even listen to 30-second previews of music they like.”

Steve Jobs touted Ping as a combination of Facebook and Twitter, during a media event hosted in September, at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, in San Francisco.

Jobs explained that users could employ Ping to follow their favorite artists and become part of their inner circle, or find out what music an artist likes and pick up some recommendations. Users can see who their friends are following and who’s following them.

Ping users can share artist photos and status updates, and even add comments to join a conversation. They can have circles of friends, if they don’t want to be bothered by anyone who might not have the same taste in music.

Ping has been present in the iTunes app on iPhone and iPod touch since the release of iOS 4.1 on September 8.

The availability of Ping on the iPad iTunes installment signals that iOS 4.2 is not far off, some speculate.

It is known for a fact that Apple plans to launch the new software update this month, while most reports seem to agree that the IPSW file will be downloadable this week.