I've overheard lots of discussion from iOS developers lately on this becoming a new trend. As certain apps increase in complexity the old Facebook home screen style becomes much less scalable, and this new method seems to be the answer.

My guess is we'll see at least another half dozen popular apps take on this style as well.

For us users that don't own an iOS device, what is this sliding panel effect you're discussing?

When you click an icon for the menu, the entire page you're on currently slides to the right to expose a panel of menu options.

See here: http://a1.mzstatic.com/us/r1000/119/Purple/eb/62/0a/mzl.uvhm...

On the blog post, check out the image labeled 'Swipe right to view labels'.

Also, it's Facebook for iPhone's profile picture: https://www.facebook.com/iphone

Yeah, would be a nice UI feature if it didn't cut off some of the labels, including Google's own "Important and unread" (at least I think it's that, the end is cut off...)

Think I'll just keep this app around for those odd times when I have to find an email from a week ago.

Didn't Twitter for iPad use this before Facebook?

the reddit iPad app has also used that for a looong time

It's certainly more like menus on the iPad than typical iPhone apps. Not sure I dislike it.