On Tuesday Google announced their latest social networking attempt, Google+ (Google Plus). The app is currently in an invite-only “field trial” with rabid technology hounds foaming at the mouth for invites right and left. So what is this + business all about?
The Idea
Google thinks the way we share online is inherently flawed, and they might have a point. You probably created a Facebook page in college as a way to keep track of keg stands and hot co-eds. But now your colleagues are your Facebook friends. So are your mom and your boss.
Google Pllus
Inevitably the sharing process sours. Either you post it all any way, alienating part of your audience, or your feed goes as stale. Google battles feed stagnation in Plus with a feature called Circles. Circles lets you organize your peeps in logical collections then tell what you want to exactly who you want to tell it to.
While manually organizing my contacts sounds slightly less tedious than color coding my sock drawer, the process is eased along by an amusing user interface with darling graphics. There is also an option to post items publically which puts them out there for all to see, even people not signed in to Google Plus, with response and repost options built in. No sign of a list feature yet, but here’s hoping.
Other Features
In addition to Circles, Plus is hauling a wagon full of features around. Some are more impressive than others. An integrated “+1” button from Google launched in March 2011 and is positioned to combat Facebook’s “Like” button.
A video conferencing feature called Hangouts interfaces real time video chat with your user profile, allowing other users to pop in and hang out for a spell. Sparks is Plus’ feed management tool where you can keep up with your favorite topics. There is also an easy photo upload, a group messaging feature called Huddle, and a check-in feature.
While that all sounds perfectly nice, you’ll note the lack of any truly groundbreaking features in that lineup.
Some Background
Google Plus
Google has a pretty torrid history with social networking. There was the epic failure of their Buzz system. You know, the one we all found forced upon us just for having a Gmail account which was later scaled back drastically due to a law suit.
There was also the unremarkable Wave network, which crashed silently upon our digital shores and slunk back into an ocean of much more exciting innovation just as quietly. Wave bit the dust officially in August 2010.
Soon after the demise of Wave, Google officially pinned a bright and shiny boutonniere on Vic Gundotra naming him class president in the epic high school style battle of the social networks. His latest fling is called Plus. Maybe you’ve heard of it.
User Experience
Google Plus is a collection of some pretty handy features, all of which are readily available from different services, organized in one Google-centric place.
The reception has been lukewarm so far. Sure, invitation-only projects create an initial buzz but this is a far cry from the days when Gmail invites were being sold on EBay. Die hard Google fans are leery of another social networking faux pas from their favorite email provider, but this time it feels like something special is in the works.
Invite requests are currently closed, but you can sign up to be notified once they are available again or ask an insider to email you an invite.
Google Plus
Android Apps Review Details: Google Plus Android app is free. This app requires Android 2.1 and up. You may download Google Plus from the Android Market.
Lets hope that Google+ will not fail like the Wave.