Google Plus

Google is known, nay, notorious, for starting dozens of projects and then killing them off when they no longer become feasible or practical business-wise. That has happened to both small and big projects alike, even revolutionary ones like Google Glass, Project Ara, and more. And yet there is one product that, despite being a ghost town and shadow of its former self, remains alive and has even gotten a new feature. Yes, that is Google+, which, starting today, will start surfacing interesting Topics to try and get you hooked on the social network.

Continue Reading

Reports of Google+’s death are largely exaggerated, despite how some might want it to be. At least, that is definitely the vibe that Google is giving off by announcing a somewhat major refresh to its social network turned community platform. The new Google+ will make smarter use of space by hiding “low-quality” comments and taking advantage of huge, hi-res photos. Google is also bringing back Events functionality to the platform but is also on the verge of saying farewell to a classic look.

Continue Reading

Google’s messaging platform strategy has never really been stable. Over the years it has switched from one system and app to the next, practically promising “this” would be it. Substitute “this” with Voice, Messages, Hangouts, and now Allo and Duo, and you pretty much get the picture. Unfortunately for those who actually invested in, for example, Hangouts, they might soon find their investments rendered useless as Google shuts down Hangouts’ API that third-party app developers once used to hook into the service.

Continue Reading

The founder of controversial messageboard 4chan, a place often described as part of the internet's dark underbelly, might not be the obvious candidate to join "Do No Evil" Google. Still, that's just what's happened, with Chris Poole - aka moot - announcing this week that he's climbing into bed with the search giant.

Continue Reading

Remember Picasa? Google finally has too, but it's decided to call time on the photo software. Picasa is getting the axe, the company has confirmed today, in favor of the newer Google Photos service that was itself spun out from Google+.

Continue Reading

Today Google began unfurling their latest completely redesigned Google+ design, and with it, a major boost in performance. This newest design includes a much lighter load on your web browser and your mobile device's processor - not to mention your data plan. In a study published by Google Developers this afternoon, they suggest that they've succeeded in their goal with the social network, never downloading more than 60k of HTML, 60k of JavaScript, and 60k of CSS at any one time.

Continue Reading

Google has just given their social network Google+ a major update, one they're calling "the new G+". This version of the social network is drastically simplified in both look and functionality, with new navigation centered on Collections and Communities. Playing to the social networks' strengths in this case means showcasing the communities that already exist and grow with speed - those that are bustling with activity and have visitors posting and commenting all day long. The home stream is redesigned as well.

Continue Reading

Google appears to have torn another feature from Google+ with "Google AboutMe," a public place for your "About" information. Here you'll place your personal contact info, work contact info, Education and Work History, Places you live and have lived, Gender, Birthday, Occupation, and a list of sites where you contribute content or participate in social networks. At this time, it would appear that this system is not entirely separate from Google+ (it still has the Google Plus-centric "Circles"), but as with Google Photos, it certainly could be.

Continue Reading

Google has been steadily simplifying the Google+ brand, primarily by separating the rather amorphous service from more stable and more independent products. The latest to get that treatment is Google's all-embracing Hangouts messaging platform. To emphasize the point that it is a distinct product separate from Google+, the tech giant has given it not only a facelift on mobile, but now also a home on the World Wide Web. Yes, Hangouts now has a website of its own and you can use it on a browser, no plugin required.

Continue Reading

Google announces cutting software ties between YouTube and their social network Google+. No longer will YouTube require a Google+ profile for new users looking to upload, comment, or create a channel. No longer will comments posted on a YouTube video also be posted on a user's Google+ profile. Freedom from one or the other is upon us. No longer will Google be pushing Google+ directly in to the comments section of YouTube, and both parties will be the better for it.

Continue Reading

Starting July 28, Google plans to shut down abandoned Google+ Local pages. Such information comes from a statement that was published by a user on the Local Search Forum. Businesses that worry they may be on the chopping block needn't panic, however -- all it takes to keep your page is verification, so if you've been putting that off, now is the time to get busy. With this, it seems Google is keen on separating its Google Plus and local worlds.

Continue Reading

Google's design ethos does not end at Android. Releasing their newest version of Google Hangouts for iOS this week, the company's "Material Design" specifications have taken over. This version of the app is not a bordered affair. No longer will you be drowning in non-Material-friendly bits and pieces. This version of the app is made for the future. It's also made to allow you the ability to send multiple photos in one, singular Hangouts message from you to your best buddy.

Continue Reading