Facebook's 'buggy' iPad app

The social network's long-awaited iPad offering is finally here — but it's saddled with a host of technical problems. Should you bother using it?

The much anticipated Facebook app for the iPad has some frustrated by log-in problems, but it's still better than Facebook's mobile website, critics say.
(Image credit: Facebook)

At last, after more than a year of waiting and behind-the-scenes drama, the official Facebook app for the iPad has finally arrived, boasting many of the social-media site's familiar features, plus an improved photo interface, instant messaging, and swipeable navigation that takes advantage of the tablet's touchscreen. But some commentators are deriding the long-awaited app as "buggy." Users who had been using Facebook's iPhone app on the iPad are experiencing log-in problems and crashes when they try to upgrade to the new app, and some in-app applications (Gilt Group, for example) are incompatible with touchscreens. Did Facebook fail?

This is very disappointing: These problems are "frustrating," says Chris Foresman at Ars Technica, and make for an "admittedly sour" first impression. Facebook knows about the crashing and log-in issues, and the company is trying to fix them. In the meantime, users have to delete the app and reinstall it if they want a comfortable browsing experience — which can be a major hassle.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us