(Image source: BBC)

BY JIM FLINK

ANCHOR LAUREN GORES

You're watching multisource tech news analysis from Newsy.

The world’s most popular social media site is about to become the new smash iPad app hit.

The wait is over. Facebook on iPad is here.

KNBC has the details.

“The app now available for free at the app store. Designed primarily as a consumption experience. Lots of photos. The pics take up the entire screen. Locked-in navigation bar allows you to access news feed, message groups and settings. New features include games in full-screen mode and HD video with air play.”

Wired explains, one of several cool features, involves linkage to other iOS apps.

“The Facebook app will send you straight to other apps when you navigate to them from a friend’s news post or status update. For example, if a friend posted a link from The Daily, clicking the link would take you to The Daily app itself.”

Also new to this version:  Lots of multi-touch features.

Even if you’re not a Facebook fan, Tech Crunch says, this just might make you one -- because this app is so smart.

“In short, Facebook is doing its best to direct you to the version of the app that will work best on whatever device you’re accessing it from... if you’re browsing from iOS, you’ll get App Store versions; and when Facebook finishes the revamped version of the Android app (it’s in the works), you’ll get directed to the Android Market version of apps whenever possible.”

But for now -- Apple is first in line -- again.

And the Los Angeles Times notes, Apple isn’t the only winner here.

“The iPad app could be a boon for Apple. None of the tablets running Google's Android software have a tailor-made Facebook app. For Facebook the benefits are obvious: An iPad app will help keep people tethered to Facebook.”

But Business Insider reports, Apple won a huge concession in the Facebook rollout -- avoiding the use of Facebook credits.

Thus, in effect, directing Facebook users -- to continue buying content from the iTunes store.

“This could have been a blow to Apple, giving a way for developers to sell content... Facebook won't let developers use Facebook Credits on the iPhone or iPad. Now we have a pretty good idea what took so long to get the iPad app approved -- Facebook and Apple were probably going back and forth over this point. Apple won.”

And the criticism of this deal doesn’t stop there.

Some iPhone4 users reportedly got bricked when they tried to download the iPad app.

Barron’s reports...

“The iPhone app’s reviews page on Facebook is bombarded with irate accusations by individuals who say their iPhone has been ‘bricked’ — that is, rendered inoperable — by Facebook’s application.  Still others say they’ve experienced extensive problems trying to get the iPad version of the application to load.”

Transcript by Newsy