In launching its new music social network Ping, which lets iTunes users connect with artists and other fans, Apple has decided that some things singers are involved in just aren’t kosher enough for its fancy new product. Like Lady Gaga‘s Twitter support of killing Prop 8, which mysteriously disappeared from the company’s marketing marketing materials.
This is what Apple showed off during its much-covered presser yesterday:
And this is what Gaga’s feed actually looked like:
(You’ll notice the references to strip clubs remained.)
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That Apple made the announcement about Ping from its Bay Area stomping grounds — the same place where Judge Vaughn Walker’s ruling that ended Prop 8 was delivered — is a bit of information not worth losing. Neither is Apple’s continued reluctance to tolerate anything gay related when it comes to its tech fiefdom.
If the company even bothers to respond to the criticism, Apple will likely say it doesn’t get itself involved in political matters. Which ignores what the battle against Prop 8 and laws like it represent: It’s not political, it’s about equality, and it’s highly unlikely they’d censor a celebrity’s tweets about helping out during Hurricane Katrina or seeing a racist policy get the book. But same-sex marriage? Too … political.
Brendan
Or… the ping feed is not taken directly from her twitter feed and it is Lady Gaga or her publicity team that did not make a Ping post about Prop 8. You may be right… or you might be wrong… better to ask “Is Apple censoring Lady Gaga…” before you ask “Why…?”
I did not see anything that would allow you to update Ping directly from your twitter feed, but I could’ve missed it.
Fitz
Apple does what it wants, and the stupid fags keep buying into the gated community of Steve Jobsville.
Jon B
Brendan, what’s up with you and the few others on here that are always on about Lady Gaga not being an ally? It’s really weird. Get over it already. She likes us gays. I’m not exactly sure how that offends you, but you guys just look silly constantly bringing it up.
Adam
Didn’t Apple contribute a lot of money to the No on 8 campaign? And weren’t they also one of the first to give equal benefits to same-sex couples? I think they can hardly be accused of being homophobic.
Kev C
Yeah like her idiotic fans vote.
CJ
“Apple was among the first California companies to offer equal rights and benefits to our employees’ same-sex partners, and we strongly believe that a person’s fundamental rights–including the right to marry–should not be affected by their sexual orientation. Apple views this as a civil rights issue, rather than just a political issue, and is therefore speaking out publicly against Proposition 8,” the company said in a statement posted to the Hot News section of its Web site.”
Apple also donated $100,000 to No on Prop 8.
TommyOC
Sorry, but this is advertising 101. Apple made a screenshot for publicity purposes. They want the screenshot criticized for layout and functional merit, not for its contents.
The REAL kicker will be when this Ping thing goes live. Will there be real-time editing.
Until we figure that out, I’m not willing to “Target” Apple. (See what I did there?)
Mike
Ya, I’m with Apple on this one. They have been very supportive of the gay community. You can’t honestly label them as homophobic. Not a big deal.
Lamar
Apple can’t actually say it doesn’t get involved in political matters because A – Lady Gaga was celebrating Prop 8’s defeat not them and B – As someone said they actually donated $100000 against Prop 8 anyway so that would be a major contradiction. Why is Apple always so scared of conservatives? (depressed sigh …)
Mike
@Lamar:
Theres a time and place for politics and it sure as hell isn’t on product packaging when you’re trying to sell. Apple is a business. Clearly, some of you have never taken a marketing class.
Roger Rabbit
LOL – This isn’t about business, it’s about Steve Jobs not wanting to see any gay sexuality, or more extreme str8 sexuality.
Apple is FOR gay guys getting married but AGAINST suggestive gay men. They have active postings of Playboy and other str8 naked pics but don’t allow the same for gays. As long as we don’t show our sexuality they and other conservatives are happy to have us in the fold.
This is the same kind of homophobia that keeps secrets going in our culture and I’m done with it. And as gay men we are much more open and accepting of our sexuality than the str8s.
Just ask the gay (and more sexual str8) app developers that have lost their dollars by building apps that then get rejected “just because” Apple feels it is inappropriate. (have you SEEN the rules that GRINDR has to put out for it’s users?). Apple’s excuse is that it doesn’t want to be a “porn tool”.
This is the device that I bought and PAY FOR monthly. I can do anything I want on my computer as long as I’m not breaking any laws. My phone device should be able to do the same.
As soon as my contract is up I’ll be switching to a different network solution. I don’t need to pay $180 a month to be oppressed again from being who I am.
Or maybe it IS a business solution. Maybe they don’t want to show how much bandwidth Apple uses compared to others when porn is allowed there as well – LOL
Lamar
@Mike: I highly doubt anyone’s gonna stop buying Apple products based on the fact that Lady Gaga voiced her support for the gays, if they were that concerned they wouldn’t have donated against Prop 8 in the first place.
Andrew B.
Manufactured controversy.
Roger Rabbit
This just in, more hipocracy from Apple’s exec in charge of the ITunes Store…
http://gawker.com/5615971/apples-freedom-from-porn-enforcer-drawn-to-porn-stars-and-escorts-on-twitter
caffesilvia
It’s because Apple has finally exposed itself as the company of censorship and control. On top of that, the goods aren’t even that functional. They’re just (arguably) pretty to look at.
I wouldn’t take an iPhone if you offered me one for free. I have no idea why that crap sells so well…