Reports that Google will include social features in its new music service reinforce what the rise of Spotify and other services have already made obvious — namely, that Apple and iTunes are falling behind in the social-music race, which could have significant consequences for the company.

A new iPhone app released on Thursday brings a music social network to the iPhone. Not for the first time, mind you, but it does get a lot of things right that previous offerings, including Apple’s own Ping, haven’t yet been able to nail down.

While Microsoft’s “Welcome to the Social” advertisements were often derided, it’s ironic that Microsoft, and not Apple, has a better history with social media interactions. Here are the three areas Apple tried to make a play with social media, and instead fell just “a bit outside.”

Late Dec. 10, Apple introduced new playlist features for Ping, the social music network it introduced as part of iTunes 10. Ping users can now share iTunes playlists on your profile, and let friends collaborate on those playlists by adding songs.

Apple just posted a new teaser image on its home page, promising an iTunes announcement for tomorrow at 7:00 a.m. PST, or 10:00 a.m. EST. The official tagline for the event is “Tomorrow is just another day. That you’ll never forget.”

Apple just introduced Twitter integration to its Ping music social network. Now, when you navigate to the Ping page in iTunes, you’ll find a dialog box at the top prompting you to connect your Twitter account. It’s as simple as signing in with your Twitter credentials.

I got an email today that made me a little bit sad. It was from Apple, and it was about how great Ping is. It left the distinct impression that many don’t agree. An email won’t convince people Ping is worthwhile. So what would?

A tipster speaking to the LA Times says Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg, two of tech’s most influential figures, got together for dinner at Steve’s place two weeks ago. No word on what they ate, but fledgling music social network Ping was definitely on the menu.

Apple’s first update to version 10 of its media player software iTunes brings some great improvements for Ping. It shows that Cupertino actually cares about the success of the product, and that it’s interested in what users have to say about its services.

It’s been roughly a week since Ping’s release, and I’ve held my tongue until now. But I can hold it no longer: Ping isn’t the thing. It almost isn’t anything at all. Which brings to mind comparisons with another relatively useless web-based product: Google Wave.