Facebook’s iPad app gains new sidebar solely dedicated to entertainment and games

After realizing that more than 70% of Facebook for iPad users have played at least one Facebook-connected game in the last 90 days, the company has announced steps it’s taking to update the iPad app to reflect that. A new sidebar is coming, bringing a bunch of information to the forefront of the app which will allow users to see trending topics, a list of games you have installed, and more.

The iPad-exclusive section provides game trailers and in-game footage, as well as Trending videos/news articles, social notifications for native Facebook games, as well as those offered on the web, and much more.

Note that this experiment is currently limited to Facebook’s iPad users in the United States and there’s no word when it could launch globally. Additional tidbits can be found right after the break…

The new sidebar is only available in landscape and includes the following items:

• Trending topics: A feature launched on desktop in January, Trending is a list of topics people are talking about most on Facebook right now, personalized to include topics you’re interested in as well as topics trending across Facebook overall
• Trending Videos: A feature new to iPad, Trending Video includes a personalized selection of the most-shared videos among your demographic on Facebook right now

• My Games: A selection of games you already play, with an easy link to start playing them on your iPad

• Popular Games: iPad games you might want to play, based on games your friends have played and what’s popular on Facebook

Facebook is urging game developers to get featured in this section by registering their iPad app, integrating Facebook Login and providing a promo video in App Center.

Facebook for iOS is available free in the App Store.