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This week Facebook issued two updates for its native iPhone App Store application. Version 3.1, released Wednesday, said push notifications of seven different categories, and includes synchronization of address book. On Thursday, a small update was issued in version 3.1.1, which includes corrections of errors in address book syncing.

Push notifications can now be received for new messages, wall posts, friend requests, friend confirmations, photo tags, events and comments.

Version 3.0 of the popular Facebook application was launched in August. It allows users to view upcoming events and friends’ birthdays, post updates and pictures, write notes and read notes from your friends’ , download videos from an iPhone 3GS, change their profile picture, zoom into photos, access the source Website news, and more.

If Apple offers the device through multiple carriers for 3G data, it would be a departure from the strategy the company has so far for employed for the iPhone, which is limited to one carrier in most markets around the world. A partnership with Verizon would dovetail very well with reports over the last six months that Apple and Verizon were in negotiations for an iPhone deal, with the tablet alternative out for the iPhone.

Apple tablet device yet unannounced, or iTablet as sometimes called, uses Verizon’s 3G network to connect to the Internet when in a WiFi network, according to Broadpoint analyst AMTECH Brian Marshall. The analyst told The Mac Observer that he believes Apple’s, “tablet will have both WiFi and wireless connectivity and will be available at multiple wireless carriers, including Verizon.”

Mr. Marshall said ComputerWorld also that unlike some analysts and in contrast to some news reports, he is convinced the device will have 3G connectivity, instead to being limited to WiFi. His assessment is based in part to unnamed sources familiar with the device.

Concurring with scattered news reports in recent months, he said that content will be essential for Apple, and the device will be an Ebook reader, a viewer of TV, “and more.”

A new site called www.att.com/edo announced by AT&T, highlighting a number of other “emerging devices” that will run on their networks. For example, announced today, is a $149 digital picture frame for receiving e-mail photos. This is no surprise because AT&T has been talking up an emerging devices strategy for the past year. But the timing is interesting. Could it have something to do with the expected launch of a tablet device by Apple later this month? Makes me wonder if AT&T will have an exclusive—or any deal at all—to provide the network for the highly anticipated device.
 
In my opinion, my hunch is that the tablet will not be 3G compatible at all, but will only have Network connectivity when a WiFi hotspot is around. That has not stifled demand for the iPod touch very much, and that device also works only with WiFi. And why would Apple put its gold-plated brand at any more risk through its association with AT&T? It would be almost inevitable, since tablet users would likely have as many problems as iPhone users do with spotty 3G coverage. And despite some reports to the contrary, I’d be surprised if the tablet will work on Verizon’s 3G network, either. Some of my best sources describe the device as essentially an “oversized iPhone,” suggesting that it is built on the same architecture as the iPhone, which does not work with Verizon CDMA-based 3G network.

Are we seeing AT&T seriously begin planning for the moment it no longer has an exclusive on the iPhone? The day after Google’s introduction of its Nexus One phone, the company announced its intention to sell five Android phones, as well as two models from Palm. The Android phones—including at least one from Motorola, Dell and HTC—will be out in the first half of 2010. That is, before August—precisely when most Wall Street analysts believe the iPhone exclusively with Apple’s lapses. What a coincidence.

A spokesman for AT & T declined to comment, when asked if today’s announcements had anything to do with the likely end of iPhone exclusivity.