Facebook has just released its official iPad app. The tablet device was unveiled in January 2010, but development and negotiations with Apple stalled the release of Facebook’s app until now. Facebook for iPad is now available in App Store.

A slide-out navigation bar will allow users to briskly move between the app’s many features. Persistent access to notifications, messages, and requests means users can check for new alerts without having to losing their place as they do with Facebook for iPhone’s dedicated navigation grid screen. Other features include multi-conversation Chat and a full-screen photo browser.

With the iPad app available, Facebook today also announced the launch of its mobile application platform, which you can read more about here. Users will be able to access third-party apps and games from the official Facebook for iPad app, with bookmarks opening previously installed native apps or leading to the App Store where users can download them.

Users have been requesting an official Facebook app since the tablet device’s launch. The developer of the Facebook for iPad app left the company late last month, citing frustration that the app had been ready for so long but not shipped due to stalled negotiations with Apple. The issues were likely surrounding how the iPad would act as a portal to third-party apps.

>> Read more on Inside Facebook.