Less than a week ago, Apple seeded iOS 5.1 beta 3 to the developer community. As usual, developers went digging in to its code and have discovered two references of the iPad 3 as well as proof of possible Facebook integration in future versions of iOS firmware.
Apple released its much hyped about biggest iOS firmware update earlier last year in October. iOS 5 brings over 200 new features to compatible iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices. One amazing feature is the deep Twitter integration in iOS 5. While Twitter is no small social network, many wondered why Apple hadn't gone with Facebook, which is close to reaching one billion active users per month. With this latest discovery in iOS 5.1 beta 3, it looks like Cupertino does have plans to integrate Facebook in future versions of iOS 5.
Actually Facebook integration in iOS 5 was heavily rumoured before the release of this mammoth firmware update. However Apple and Facebook failed to reach an agreement on how this will actually work out. Given Apple's strict control over its devices and the functions they offer, the company pulled back and integrated Twitter instead. Facebook integration is back again in iOS 5.1 beta 3, but we don't know for sure whether Apple will actually release it to the public in the final iOS 5.1 release.
Apart from this, two new references of iPad 3 were also discovered hidden deep inside the code of iOS 5.1 beta 3. The references, J1AP and J2AP to be precise, come after a recent report which revealed that the 2012 iPad is going to be developed under the J1 and J2 codename. One will be given to the WiFi iPad 3 and the other to the 3G iPad 3.
The iPad 3 references don't exactly excite us, given the fact that Apple is definitely gearing up for an iPad 3 release in March 2012. The Facebook integration bit is particularly exciting, as lots and lots of iOS device owners would absolutely loving having deep Facebook integration on their smartphones and tablets.
(via TiPb)