Facebook has finally launched an app for the iPad platform. The app offers high-res photos, iPad-optimised navigation, and the ability to play Facebook games on your device. 

The app also boasts an interface that shows you photos and updates in a layer over the top of your news feed, so you never lose your place, says Facebook.

The new app is a Universal app, which means the same download is optimised for both iPhone and iPad. It is version 4 of the original Facebook iOS app. 

The app is available now from the iTunes App Store. 

Facebook has also announced a number of improvements to its mobile offerings. As well as new features for Facebook for iPhone – such as improved search, the ability to play games, and new security features, the company has also redesigned the Facebook mobile-optimised website. This update adds to the list of devices that can access the mobile site. 

The mobile website also offers development features that let developers use the networks social channels to distribute their apps. Users can now also activate Facebook credits on mobile, too. 

“We are at the beginning of bringing Facebook Platform apps to mobile. The features we are launching today are still under development,” says Facebooks Luke Shepard in a blog post on the new apps and mobile web features. “They will evolve as we learn more about building richer social experiences on mobile devices. In addition, we will extend our native support for more mobile platforms such as Android in the near future. We are excited to see what you will build with these features today and look forward to working with you as we improve these features.”