Facebook iPad app to launch at media event?

Speculation is brewing that the media event Apple is rumoured to be hosting on October 4 will see the launch of the long-awaited Facebook app for iPad.

Citing sources familiar with the situation, Mashable says the app will be released alongside an updated Facebook app for iPhone, as well as an HTML5-based mobile app marketplace.

The report follows the revelation in a blog by the app's lead engineer, Jeff Verkoeyen, that the app was ready for a public beta test in May, but has been held back by Facebook bosses. Verkoeyen says the delays contributed to his leaving Facebook for a job at Google; his blog is currently inaccessible due to high traffic.

The reason for the delay is said to be the strained relationship between Facebook and Apple; Mashable says a release next month will show that the two are ready to be friends - or at least work together to combat Google.

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