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For over a year, Facebook fans been waiting very patiently for the company to release an iPad app. In June, The New York Times's Nick Bilton declared that an app had been in the works for over a year with plenty of hands-on attention from founder Mark Zuckerberg, but it was "unclear" when the app would be unveiled. That was five weeks ago, but at some point between then and now, Facebook released the code for the app in an update to their iPhone app. Tipped off by a mobile app developer on Twitter, MG Siegler at TechCrunch found the code and launched the app. It works and "it's spectacular," writes Siegler. With the plans for a dramatic release dashed, bloggers rushed to run the app themselves and their reactions are similarly enthusiastic.
"The navigation system is great," says Siegler of the new iPad app. Like Twitter's app, Facebook uses a lefthand navigation bar that offers one-touch access to any part of the site. Also, like Twitter, the app uses pop-over windows that can flicked off the screen when you're done with them and turning the iPad sideways shows you a column of your friends in the Chat feature. Siegler also notes how you can check out where your Facebook friends are with a Places-powered map and view pictures and video in full-screen.