14 DAY TRIAL // Facebook and Apple look like two completely opposite companies. One does hardware, the other social software. But the two companies are competing with each other, for users, quite bitterly. There's one thing though that unites them, their desire to bring down Google.
If you're an iPad user, you're well aware that there's no official Facebook app. This looks like a huge missed opportunity, especially a year and a half after the iPad was launched.
What's more, there's clearly interest, unofficial Facebook apps top download charts for the iPad.
Facebook is well aware of this. In fact, it's been working on a Facebook app for quite a while, as long as the iPad has been around. The app itself was complete and ready to launch months ago.
Nothing happened though, despite rumors of an imminent launch. The app became a bargaining chip between Facebook and Apple with Facebook holding it hostage until Apple agrees to its terms.
The existence of a Facebook app has been rumored for months. But now we know for sure that it exists, from the man that built it.
He's removed the paragraph that mentioned the Facebook app, but he initially said he left the company frustrated that his work for many months didn't see the light of day. He now works for Google.
The latest rumors say that the app is finally launching along with the iPhone 5, a week from now.
Millions of people have been waiting for a Facebook app for the iPad. And millions of people would have had an easier time engaging with the service if it were available.
But Facebook sacrificed some good will to get what it wanted from Apple. The companies have worked together in the past, with the iPhone app for example.
Things soured last year when Apple launched the Ping social network, which went nowhere. There was no Facebook integration at launch, since Facebook's demands were too high, the rumors say.
Facebook was also supposed to be built into iOS 5. Instead, Apple went with Twitter. This may have been another negotiating technique to get Facebook to play ball.
Meanwhile Facebook is withholding the iPad app. Things may be warming up, but it remains to be seen how much the two companies will work together and on what terms.