Over 18 months after the original iPad’s release, Facebook has finally unveiled its first native app for the tablet. While third party apps like Friendly for Facebook have been available for some time, this new app, provided by Facebook itself, provides users with a more familiar user experience and better integration with the site’s features.

Better photos, find your friends

Facebook is heavily promoting the photo album capabilities of its new app, with iPad users now able to flip through high resolution photos like a traditional photo album, pinch to zoom and easily tag and upload their own pictures.

Navigation has also been simplified, as have chat options and status updates. The ‘Nearby’ feature shows a visual map of recent friend check-ins.

Facebook moving mobile

With almost half of Facebook’s 800million users logging in from a mobile device like a smartphone or tablet, the new app reflects Facebook’s commitment to providing a seamless mobile experience. The release also brings Facebook into line with dedicated iPad apps from other social networking vendors such as Twitter and Flipboard.

The free app is now available to download via the App store.

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Article by Dan Kuseta: @dankuseta, @smkapac