Yep - I recall that the first iOS version that pre-integrated FB I recall specifically writing an email to a friend of mine that worked at Apple to blast Apple

Yep - I recall that the first iOS version that pre-integrated FB I recall specifically writing an email to a friend of mine that worked at Apple to blast Apple for including it - when there was a perfectly viable option for them to use the app-store. They didn't reply to that email, but we remained friends. That was about 8 years ago.