Facebook Integration Was Supposed To Happen With iOS 4, But Didn't - Report
April 21, 2011
One of the more interesting discoveries within the alleged iOS 5 leak was the inclusion of full Facebook integration within the OS. However, the folks at 9 To 5 Mac believe what we actually saw was an old version of iOS 4 being tested at a time when Apple intended to integrate its iOS with Facebook, but eventually did not.
According to 9 To 5 Mac, Apple and Facebook were actively working on Ping in 2009 and 2010. At the same time, Apple was also working on iOS 4. Therefore, iOS/Facebook integration seemed certain to have also been on the table.
As proof, they presented the following SDK evidence:
Within iOS 4, Facebook was supposed to integrate with the iPhone’s Contacts app, as well as include some sort of photo sharing. However, the plan was never to include Facebook.com features like the news feed.
Unfortunately, somewhere between testing and the official release of iOS 4.0 in June 2010, whatever deal Apple and Facebook had fell though. Hence, Facebook integration on the iPhone was never implemented, and neither was a Facebook inspired Ping application in iTunes. Eventually, Ping arrived to iTunes with modest Twitter integration.
And now, Apple is said to be working on Photo Stream, which is something like Facebook and Instagram mixed together. Although nothing is yet official, Apple may include Photo Stream in iOS 5.
And what about the 'leaked' iOS 5 video? It is looking more and more like a fake.
What do you think? Leave your comments below.