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Report: Facebook iPad app 'hidden' in iPhone code

According to TechCrunch, users can access the long-awaited iPad app by executing some code in the social network's iPhone app from a jailbroken tablet.

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CNET contributor Don Reisinger is a technology columnist who has covered everything from HDTVs to computers to Flowbee Haircut Systems. Besides his work with CNET, Don's work has been featured in a variety of other publications including PC World and a host of Ziff-Davis publications.
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Don Reisinger
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Facebook's long-awaited iPad app might actually be hidden in the company's latest iPhone app update, TechCrunch is reporting.

According to the blog, Facebook's latest update to its iPhone app, version 3.4.4, includes executable code that allows users with jailbroken iPads to access and use the social network's full, native tablet application.

Facebook

A Facebook iPad app has topped the wish lists of the social network's users for quite some time. The company currently offers full-featured smartphone applications across several different operating systems, including iOS and Android, but iPad owners need to access Facebook via their Safari browser.

Since the launch of the iPad, rumors have cropped up from time to time claiming Facebook was nearing the launch of its tablet application. Last month, for example, The New York Times reported that the social network would be launching its iPad app "in the coming weeks."

That rumor was bolstered by Facebook's announcement late last month that it was planning to "launch something awesome" early on in July. Rather than announce an iPad app as hoped, however, Facebook unveiled Skype video calling and group chatting.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg kept the hope alive, however, saying that this month's announcement was the first of what would be many in the company's "launching season 2011."

In the iPad app that TechCrunch tried out, Facebook's many features were present. The blog was able to view the news feed, chat with friends, interact with content across the social network, and input locations through Places. TechCrunch said that the app is "spectacular."

Of course, whether or not the app TechCrunch accessed is actually Facebook's official iPad program is unknown at this point. The blog said that it has "confirmed with a source" that the app it used will be the one Facebook launches, but until the social network confirms that report, consider this one a rumor.

Facebook did not immediately respond to CNET's request for comment.