Is Facebook dissing iPad again?

Mark Zuckerberg and Co. are ready to unveil an “awesome new product” in connection with their massively popular Facebook site this Wednesday, July 6. And although early rumors hinted at a mobile app for iPad and other tablet PCs, it’s beginning to look a lot like the news may be chat-related.

The website Tech Crunch is reporting that Facebook is planning to launch a new video chat product, which will utilize Skype and work within a Web browser. Tech Crunch is also reporting that the new product — being developed by Facebook’s 40-person Seattle team — will have a “desktop component.” The Facebook video chat platform would provide some competition for Google’s plunge into social networking with Google+.

Meanwhile, as rumors swirl around a possible video chat app, many iPad and tablet users are holding out hope for a dedicated Facebook app for the iPad. Since the release of the Facebook iPhone app, many have been clamoring for an iPad-optimized app to take advantage of the tablet’s larger screen size.

According to The New York Times, the iPad app was supposed to have been released sometime in early July. However, Zuckerberg has been reluctant in the past to release an iPad-specific app for Facebook, stating that the iPad is “not a mobile device.” Many disagree. The only way to use Facebook on the iPad currently is through the Safari (or other Web browser) iPad app or via one of the many third-party Facebook apps available, such as the popular Friendly for Facebook.

It remains to be seen if the announcement will be the much-desired iPad/tablet app or if Facebook will kick the can down the road and delay a tablet app even further. I’m crossing my fingers for a new Facebook app, but for now I’ll have to stick with Friendly for Facebook.