Facebook is cutting straight through Apple’s territory – but it is doing so to ambush Google.

Facebook announced this week that it was launching an application for Apple’s iPad. At the same time, it said that it planned to allow software developers to offer their mobile apps directly on Facebook’s website, which is available on any mobile device. When this third-party software is sold within the confines of Facebook’s Apple applications, Apple will take its usual 30 per cent commission. When it is sold through Facebook’s website, then Facebook takes that slice.

Despite appearances, this should not be seen as an attempt simultaneously to co-opt and compete with Apple. Facebook wants its users to have access to a wider variety of media, information and services from within its network, and would surely prefer, all else being equal, to keep Apple out of it. It is unlikely, however, that Facebook’s bosses have their eye on the $6bn in revenues that Apple made through its app store and iTunes in the past year (Apple has frequently suggested these revenues are hardly profitable).