Finally! Facebook launches iPad app

The new Facebook app for iPad lets you see all your pic albums. Picture: Facebook

Facebook launches mobile app platformApp is finally available to iPad users tooLaunch described as an affront to Apple

AFTER months of anticipation and leaks, Facebook this day launched a mobile app platform and an iPad app.

Facebook users previously had to use their computers for most of their Facebook gaming and app needs, but now they should be able to play and participate from nearly any device with a web browser – and they may get a better experience if it happens to be an Apple iOS device.

Though this launch had been described as an affront to Apple, the new Facebook mobile versions will defer to Apple’s native platform and even its payments system whenever possible.

Private message view on the new Facebook iPad app. Picture: Facebook

A large reason why Facebook apps, especially games, did not work on phones was because iOS devices do not support Flash. Facebook has helped a choose set of developers – Audiovroom, Branchout, Flixster, Gilt Groupe, Huffington Post, EA, Moblyng, Storm8, Wooga and Zynga – create HTML5 versions of a selection of their apps and game titles that will work in mobile web browsers.

But HTML5 still does not offer the performance that many complex apps require, so if the developers have created native versions of their apps, they can also connect Facebook users directly to that native app.

Now, when a friend sends you an invitation to play Words With Friends, and you view it on the Facebook app on your iPhone, you can click to play and be taken to the Words With Friends app. If you do not have the app, you will be directed to Apple’s App Store.

Notifications and messages will appear at the top of every screen. Picture: Facebook

If you are using an Android phone, you will be taken to an HTML5 version in your mobile web browser. Facebook CTO Bret Taylor told AllThingsD this day that Facebook is also working on an update to its native Android application.

While many people will appreciate having a more consistent Facebook app experience, this launch also should make it much easier for users to find new mobile apps through their friends. Mobile app discovery has been a large challenge for developers, and social could help unlock that problem by showing people what apps their friends are using.

“We really hope that we can fill a gap in app discovery here,” Mr Taylor said.

On the downside, there is one place Facebook was not able to negotiate a consistent experience for users: payments, which was a major sticking point in on-going discussions with Apple.

Facebook Credits can’t be used to pay for virtual goods in native iOS apps or mobile web apps running within a Facebook app on iOS. Instead, users will have to purchase separate in-app currency through Apple’s own in-app payment system. The move comes after Facebook just required all of its game developers to switch to exclusive use of Credits earlier this year.

“We realise there is some inconsistency,” Mr Taylor admitted. He would not state if Facebook gets a share of revenue for in-app buys it refers to Apple.

As for the Facebook iPad app, it has been close to being released for over a year, according to people who have seen it and worked on it – though the app has changed in scope throughout.

Along with the capability to use Facebook platform apps, the iPad version will feature “an immersive and full-screen pics experience,” plus new and speedy chat and messages interfaces, Mr Taylor said.

More Source:

Facebook finally launches iPad app | Internet & Media - CNET News
It's Finally Arrived – Facebook Launches iPad App - Simply Zesty
Facebook finally launches iPad app after months of delays | Metro ...
Facebook finally launches iPad app - ZDNet Asia News

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Submited at Monday, October 10th, 2011 at 11:00 pm on Technology by madison
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