Facebook’s iPad application has been a continuing problem for Facebook as silence was shunned all over its updates for the iPad app. Earlier this year, TechCrunch had a few screenshots showing the Facebook iPad app, but till now, there has not been any real update on its progress. iPad owners have been in a fix, as the updates earlier showed signs that a Facebook app for the iPad is on its way.
Its been almost a year since the Facebook iPad app talks were out and the long-awaited launch was in sight too as it was noted by the people briefed on Facebook’s plans at the time, the app was scheduled to be available in the Apple iTunes store a couple of weeks back. It however didn’t happen.
But finally, there is some update which was broken by Mashable, where it was said that Facebook will launch its long-awaited iPad app at Apple’s iPhone 5 launch event on October 4. This is not the only update here, as there might even be a revamped version of Facebook’s iPhone app.
Many still have a lingering thought in their mind as Facebook was ready with the app since May, as former Facebook engineer Jeff Verkoeyen noted in a blog post that he was leaving Facebook (for Google) partially as a ready app from Facebook has not been revealed, even though it was ready since May.
According to two sources familiar with the situation, the restriction from Facebook might have been because the two companies have had a number of issues, since the last two years. The strained relations have been harsh on the users as they were prevented from making use of the app. An example of the conflict can be noted when Facebook pulled the plug on Facebook Connect in Ping as Apple didn’t give the social networking giant any warning about the feature. Facebook had a valid reason behind the thought as it would have eaten a great deal of bandwidth on Facebook’s side. Another example might be a rumor, but it noted that Facebook was supposed to be integrated into iOS, but as there were a number of disagreements for the same, Apple integrated Twitter into iOS 5.
However, the social networking giant seems to be coming on terms with Apple of late as these two technology giants are working on to achieve a shared goal of beating Google. Apple doesn’t have a social platform and Facebook doesn’t have a mobile platform, and their renewed friendship can help their mutual cause.
In a related development, Facebook is working on a special project which focuses on bringing the Facebook Platform to mobile devices. Facebook has labeled the project as “Project Spartan” and it is designed to be a platform where developers can bring their Facebook apps to mobile devices via an HTML5 platform. It was decided against announcing this development at the f8 conference as they did not want the announcements related to the new Facebook Open Graph and Timeline to be watered down.
Apple and Facebook spokespersons were however not available for comment.