Google+ the new social project from Google. What are it's features and

2. The story so far
• Google launches Google+, calls it a social project
– “Real-life sharing rethought for the web”
• Launched by invitation only. Each person got 15 additional invites to send.
• Once logged into Google account, Google+ can be accessed from the new
black Google navigation toolbar
• Main area is Stream which shows new posts/comments
• Initial features – Circles, Hangouts, Sparks, Huddles (mobile)
• Unlike Facebook/LinkedIn there is no invitation process

3. Stream
• Similar to Facebook Newsfeed and Twitter timeline
– Posts with most recent comments rise to the top
• The ‘Share what's new box’ is for updates.
– Updates can be plain text with images, videos, links and can be tagged with location
– Can be shared publicly, or only with specific Circles

4. Photos
• Photos are arranged by source – Circles, Phone. Albums shows uploaded photos,
including those in existing Blogger posts
• Photos or Videos taken via phone can be set up for instantly uploading to Google+
• Photos can be tagged easily a la FB. Settings can be adjusted to approve when
someone tags you

5. Profile
• Here’s where you can view how your profile looks to different people – those in
your circle or Anyone on the web
• New content or persons added to Circles start to show up in profiles with time

6. Circles
• Connection can be added to separate buckets – the idea being to offer better
segregation and privacy instead of Facebook’s mass broadcast approach
• Share different updates/content with different people
• Only the creator knows which circle other people are put in
• Unlike Facebook users don’t have to accept Friend invitations

7. Hangouts
• Group Video chat (up to 10 participants)
• Screen switching feature changes to show participant speaking
• Users can also view a YouTube video together and see reactions
• Great for business conferencing, webinars

8. Sparks
• Surfaces content from around the web. Find areas of interest quickly
• Allows sharing of content with your circle or publicly or via e-mail

9. Google+ for Android
• Quick & Simple to use for a first version
• Huddle is a nifty feature for Group Messaging
• Instant Picture Upload allows camera images to be sent to a cloud album
• Locations can be tagged to check-ins and images and are astoundingly accurate

10. First Thoughts
• Slick user interface. Simple to understand features.
• Will have high appeal for geeks, Android owners, technophiles, blogger
types.
• Circles is the key differentiator from other social networks
• No way to directly import Facebook contacts (indirect via Yahoo)
• Has features to take on every other network but creates no new niche.
• Clear privacy options. Have learned from Buzz mistake.
• Hangouts could be a break-out feature depending upon what Skype-
Facebook announce this week.
• Should have launched with business profile pages too.
• Not sure it holds enough incentive for the average Facebook user to set up
account and port data across.
• Your public Google Profile shows your public posts/photos & Circles unlike
Facebook. Should be more options to customize it.