http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/40785/what-is-google-android-iphone-apps
http://www.google.com/+/learnmore/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google%2B#cite_note-Facebook.27s_Newest_Challenger:_Google_Plus-5
Google+ (Google Plus or abbreviated to G+) is a multilingual social network platform owned and operated by Google Inc. It was launched in an invitation-only "field testing phase on the 28th of June 2011 so that those only with invitations could register but on the 20th of September 2011, Google+ was opened to everyone.
Layout
Profile
Main newsfeed
Photos
Circles
Browser (Google)
Local
Layout
Profile
Main newsfeed
Photos
Circles
Browser (Google)
Local
Aims?
Google's previous attempts of creating their own social networking platforms such as Google Wave and Google Buzz failed to "catch on" and thus Google+ was born. Google had previously commented that other networking sites simply "don't cut the mustard" and so they launched their own.
Google states:
"Today, the connections between people increasingly happen online. Yet the subtlety and substance of real-world interactions are lost in the rigidness of our online tools."
Therefore backing up their statement by explaining that they want to create an efficient and natural way to connect people. But this is not their only main focus. They hope to overtake facebook and its popularity one day by making every existing Google product socially compatible. The company already has a range of sites and softwares, including Picasa, Gmail and Google Maps and information and functions which will be integrated into the Google+ experience so people don't have to sign into different services to share photos and see what other people are doing.
Mobile:
Each Google+ profile centre around the Stream, which is essentially the same thing as Facebook's news feed - all of your info and updates from friends are gathered and constantly updated. The Stream will be joined by four core elements: Circles, Hangouts, Huddle and Sparks.
Features?
Profiles:
On profiles, much similar to Facebook, users are able to share, post images, videos and music files and respond to other posts. The users infromation is stored on their own profile and it is the basis of Google+
Circles:
Google works to separate different conversations and profiles into different categories. Circles enables the user to create "circles" that involve only a select group of people that share interests or relation. For example, a user can create a circle for their friends, allowing them to chat and browse in with that select few of people. They can also have circles for different groups such as workmates, peers and family. It is only a matter of draging profiles to their respective circle efficiently and effectively. The stream occupies the middle three columns of a page which allows users to see updates from people in their circles.
Hangouts:
Hangouts is exactly how the titles describes. Through hangouts, users are able to "hangout" virtually through video calling. Hangouts might be similar to other chat sites like msn or skype but it differs because it is exclusive to Google and allows more than two people chatting at a time, a feature some video chat services don't offer. Hangouts can also be used on Android phones with a front view camera.
Sparks: When browsing, especially when browsing interest, Sparks works to collect updates from selected topics that you may be interested in. For example, if the user is interested in films, they can search films in the search bar and click "Add Interest". This will update the user on anything new on films. Sparks can be used for all different topics, not just film, and if the user loses interest in something on their important subject list, they can easily delete it from the Sparks.
Settings:
Like any other social network site, Google+ has secure, privacy settings that can alter visibilty settings and therefore allows the user choose who they want viewing their page and their status. You'll be able to assign different levels of visibility to different aspects of your profile. Users can also choose whether their profile is indexed by search engines and, as with Facebook, be able to block people. Google+ won't ever disclose the names of a user's circle, even to the people that are in them. Although, people in circles may be able to see some of the others members of the the circle that they're in, depending on who posts any kind of feedback.
Users who choose to close their account are able to downgrade their account, which will delete the profile and remove any posts, circles and other Google+ content while still enabling access to Gmail and other Google services.
Profiles:
On profiles, much similar to Facebook, users are able to share, post images, videos and music files and respond to other posts. The users infromation is stored on their own profile and it is the basis of Google+
Circles:
Google works to separate different conversations and profiles into different categories. Circles enables the user to create "circles" that involve only a select group of people that share interests or relation. For example, a user can create a circle for their friends, allowing them to chat and browse in with that select few of people. They can also have circles for different groups such as workmates, peers and family. It is only a matter of draging profiles to their respective circle efficiently and effectively. The stream occupies the middle three columns of a page which allows users to see updates from people in their circles.
Hangouts:
Hangouts is exactly how the titles describes. Through hangouts, users are able to "hangout" virtually through video calling. Hangouts might be similar to other chat sites like msn or skype but it differs because it is exclusive to Google and allows more than two people chatting at a time, a feature some video chat services don't offer. Hangouts can also be used on Android phones with a front view camera.
Sparks: When browsing, especially when browsing interest, Sparks works to collect updates from selected topics that you may be interested in. For example, if the user is interested in films, they can search films in the search bar and click "Add Interest". This will update the user on anything new on films. Sparks can be used for all different topics, not just film, and if the user loses interest in something on their important subject list, they can easily delete it from the Sparks.
Settings:
Like any other social network site, Google+ has secure, privacy settings that can alter visibilty settings and therefore allows the user choose who they want viewing their page and their status. You'll be able to assign different levels of visibility to different aspects of your profile. Users can also choose whether their profile is indexed by search engines and, as with Facebook, be able to block people. Google+ won't ever disclose the names of a user's circle, even to the people that are in them. Although, people in circles may be able to see some of the others members of the the circle that they're in, depending on who posts any kind of feedback.
Users who choose to close their account are able to downgrade their account, which will delete the profile and remove any posts, circles and other Google+ content while still enabling access to Gmail and other Google services.
Google+ also allows users to back up their data on their accounts. The fear of Google+ becoming totally private makes users want to copy files that can only be found on their profile, meaning that they have only one copy of something on the internet and not on their computer. If users want to back up their files on Google, users can use Google Takebout to download their files on their profile as well as PicasaWeb albums and photos, your Google profile, Google Contacts, Stream and er, Google Buzz. '
Mobile:
Supported by the Chrome, IE, Firefox and Safari browsers, Google+ is also available on mobile devices, a vital element for any social networking platform. As well as sharing thoughts and location from mobile, users are able to check into places and make use of the group messaging feature, Huddle.
Google+ makes photo-sharing as simple as possible. Images and videos taken on the users phone will upload themselves automatically to Google+. However, they'll be uploaded directly to a private album and the user can then specify who (if anyone) they choose to share them with, as to protect their privacy.
It is already available download the Android app and there's an iOS 4+ app due to hit iTunes soon. Users can also access the basic Google+ mobile site (m.google.com/app/plus) on Android handsets (1.5+) and Apple devices (iOS 3+) as well as on BlackBerry (6.0+), Nokia/Symbian and Windows Mobile. The Android app currently offers a wider range of functions than users can see on the mobile sites. There are no tablet specific versions of the project at present, but this is something that Google plans to work on in the future.
Excellent blog - very detailed posts and very well set out!
ReplyDelete20/20