Today has been a strange day for the Facebook for iPad application. First, reports were flooding the web that the developer behind the dedicated iPad app called it quits after Zuckerberg&Co. refused to release the application he’d been working on for months.

“It was feature-complete back in May, he writes, but Facebook kept pushing its release out another two weeks, then another. Now, he thinks it “may never be released.”

By all accounts, this is fairly accurate. The developer in question, Jeff Verkoeyen, has indeed left Facebook, taking up a post at Google instead. After the frustration Verkoeyen felt working for The Social Network, he’s reportedly made the jump from mobile apps to mobile operating systems, doing back-end stuff for Android.

Combine this story with the fact that there was absolutely no mention of the iPad application at Facebook’s F8 conference last week, and things aren’t looking too good for the elusive application. It’s too bad, actually, because the app looks pretty good. Check out the gallery (via Mashable) below!

However, all hope may not be lost. According to Mashable, the Facebook for iPad application (among other things) will in fact be launching at Apple’s October 4 event!

“In addition to the iPad app, Facebook is also expected to release a revamped version of its iPhone app and may unveil an HTML5-based mobile app marketplace… our sources also expect Facebook to unveil a new version of Facebook for the iPhone, with design and speed improvements that mimic the iPad app.”

Mashable cites a combination of timing issues and a strained relationship between the two companies as reasons for the delay of the app. Though, it appears the two tech giants have managed to set aside their differences in the fight to overcome none other than Google.

If you think about it, the AppleBook team does sort of make sense. Google has both a wildly successful mobile platform and an ever-growing social network, so it presents a clear threat to both Apple and Facebook. And hey, if the alleged partnership goes well, we might just see Facebook integration in a future build of iOS!

Honestly, though, I don’t really care what’s going on with the companies behind the scenes as long as the apps continue (or, in the case of Facebook, start) to provide the user with the best experience possible.

What are your thoughts on the matter? Let me know in the comments below or on twitter!

[UPDATE]

It seems like Facebook is just unwilling to stay out of the headlines today. Shortly after publishing this article, some images allegedly depicting iOS 5 Facebook integration went viral. The images, which were first reported on by MacRumors, show what is unmistakably iOS 5 uploading a photo to Facebook in much the same way that current beta testers update their Twitter statuses from within the Photos app.

There’s no confirmation on whether these pictures are real or not, but it seems a bit fishy if you ask me. Doesn’t it seem just a little too convenient that these pics show up the same day that all this other Facebook news does? What’s more, the Add Friends icon looks a bit off to me. What do you guys think?

 

Via: Business Insider, Mashable, MacRumors