Dear Apple, when will you share the wealth?

I am a big believer in 'social commerce.' One of the core business models I track I label 'values equal profits.' In making our purchasing decisions (and the slew of others we make every day of our hectic lives), we seek out those with similar values, similar views.

I'm a founder's club member of OpenSky, the leader in social/relationship commerce. No surprise, I'm a big fan of Ping, the new social commerce and recommendation engine embedded into Apple's iTunes. Here's a good overview of Ping:

Ping may function like a cross between Facebook and Twitter for iTunes by allowing you to follow celebrities, create social cliques and get artist updates, via an activity stream. I think it could have tremendous impact on social sharing and commerce.

From a content perspective, there are three different types of media we love to talk about – movies we see, music we listen to and books we are reading. These are accepted social norms. In fact, many relationships are made on the basis of collective love of a movie and many friendships have started with mixed tapes. It makes perfect sense for a music service to be social.

Here's my problem with Ping. It doesn't share the wealth. God love Apple, they do play by their rules, their reality, with their toys. And like a spoiled first-born male child, they do not share well. I have followers. I have people who value my opinion. I have members of my 'clique' that will rent a movie and buy a music track and read an e-Book, via iTunes, based solely on my recommendation.

You know what my cut of all these Ping-like commercial transactions is?

Zero.

As always, Silicon Valley, Apple leaves a door wide open. Don't wait til it's too late.