Features Of Google+
Google+ is the newest social media website, owned by search engine giant Google, and styled almost exactly like Facebook. Google+ actually borrows a lot of functionality that is implemented in Facebook, only in a nicer, more accessible format. There are some really blatant examples of this, such as Google+ Circles as compared to Facebook Groups. But no one really uses Facebook Groups, whereas Google+ Circles is built into the 'add a friend'; This single feature exemplifies how Google+ integrates many aspects of Facebook into a single, more accessible design. The rest of Google's features are quite similar to Facebook as well.
--- Google+ Settings ---
I really enjoy Google's take on content, privacy, notifications and settings. You get much more fine grained control, over all visible elements on your Profile page. The whole Google+ system is much more fine tuned for being able to control exactly what you share with exactly which groups of people. The only part I thought was missing, was the "Disable Public Search" option Facebook offers.
Google+ Project: Explore Settings
--- Google+ Circles ---
This integral factor is what really separates Google+ from Facebook. Circles enables you to keep your specific information exclusive to groups you choose. Its built in automatically, and categorizes friends as you add them, as opposed to Facebook Groups. Circles enables you to choose what groups show up in your feed, as well as keeping your photo albums separate. Circles lets you send out mass posts to specific targets.
Google+ Project: Explore Circles
--- Google+ Sparks ---
Now here is something nifty. Google+ Sparks brings you the latest news and blog stories on any topic you choose. It then lets your quickly share these stories around your circles, and discuss them among friends. It reminds me alot of a mix between Google Reader, and Twitter. Either way it's mighty cool to add to a social site. Spreading information +1.
Google+ Project: Explore Sparks
---Google+ Hangouts---
Hangouts is like a chat room mixed with Skype. Hangouts lets you video chat, or even mass video chat! Hangout seems like a lot of fun, and group video chat is a really interesting idea. It will be very interesting to see if this become a hit.
Google+ Project: Explore Hangouts
--- Google +1 ---
This is by far my favorite aspect of Google+. It works very similarly to Facebook's Like, but it allows for an instant count of how many profiles support this. For example, if 1,000 people liked this page on Facebook, you would not see that number on my blog. But if I got 1,000+1s, you would see a very sexy 1k at the end of this post. So +1 me and try it out!!
With all the major features of Google+ covered, I think its pretty easy to say they 'one-upped' Facebook. But here comes the real question, will enough users be willing to make the switch? Facebook became such a powerful force due to its sheer number of users. Unless Google+ is able to pull over most all of Facebook's users, it will never become the alpha social site. Not to mention, if Google+ does become the next big social site, will Google be one step closer to an internet-profile monopoly?!?! Leave comments with your thoughts, and stop back next time when I expand on the 'Google profile monopoly'.
--- Google+ Settings ---
I really enjoy Google's take on content, privacy, notifications and settings. You get much more fine grained control, over all visible elements on your Profile page. The whole Google+ system is much more fine tuned for being able to control exactly what you share with exactly which groups of people. The only part I thought was missing, was the "Disable Public Search" option Facebook offers.
Google+ Project: Explore Settings
--- Google+ Circles ---
This integral factor is what really separates Google+ from Facebook. Circles enables you to keep your specific information exclusive to groups you choose. Its built in automatically, and categorizes friends as you add them, as opposed to Facebook Groups. Circles enables you to choose what groups show up in your feed, as well as keeping your photo albums separate. Circles lets you send out mass posts to specific targets.
Google+ Project: Explore Circles
--- Google+ Sparks ---
Now here is something nifty. Google+ Sparks brings you the latest news and blog stories on any topic you choose. It then lets your quickly share these stories around your circles, and discuss them among friends. It reminds me alot of a mix between Google Reader, and Twitter. Either way it's mighty cool to add to a social site. Spreading information +1.
Google+ Project: Explore Sparks
---Google+ Hangouts---
Hangouts is like a chat room mixed with Skype. Hangouts lets you video chat, or even mass video chat! Hangout seems like a lot of fun, and group video chat is a really interesting idea. It will be very interesting to see if this become a hit.
Google+ Project: Explore Hangouts
--- Google +1 ---
This is by far my favorite aspect of Google+. It works very similarly to Facebook's Like, but it allows for an instant count of how many profiles support this. For example, if 1,000 people liked this page on Facebook, you would not see that number on my blog. But if I got 1,000+1s, you would see a very sexy 1k at the end of this post. So +1 me and try it out!!
With all the major features of Google+ covered, I think its pretty easy to say they 'one-upped' Facebook. But here comes the real question, will enough users be willing to make the switch? Facebook became such a powerful force due to its sheer number of users. Unless Google+ is able to pull over most all of Facebook's users, it will never become the alpha social site. Not to mention, if Google+ does become the next big social site, will Google be one step closer to an internet-profile monopoly?!?! Leave comments with your thoughts, and stop back next time when I expand on the 'Google profile monopoly'.