Google+ Stories have finally come to iOS users.
In May, Google introduced an entirely new way for Google+ users to view and share their visual moments. It was described as a way to help define specific “moments” that we experience. using the images we take and related information, like your location, Google+ is able to assemble automatically uploaded images into collections that weave media together to create a “story” of that moment.
But it was available for Android only at first.
Today, with their latest update, Google+ users on iOS can begin to experience their own stories and share those stories with their friends and family and followers.
To see any stories you may have already, open your Google+ app, tap the slideout menu, and tap on Photos. You should see an announcement like this one:
Tap on See Your Stories, tap through the description of stories, and you’ll see any stories Google+ has put together for you. Note that, in order to have any stories at all, you’ll need to have your Google+ set to automatically upload pictures that you take. And of course you’ll need to take some pictures. 🙂
Google+ will also prompt you to turn on Location Sharing. It’s up to you, but if you want Google+ to better recognize where specific pictures are taken and insert fun aspects like maps into your stories, you’ll want to enable that option.
With any of your stories, you can edit the details quite easily. Tap on a story to view it, and you’ll immediately see the opening image and story title. Tap on the pencil icon to edit the title.
Now, you can swipe through the various pages of the story and add narrative text wherever you’d like.
Once you get to the end of the story, you’ll have a few options available to you. Tap on the gear icon in the upper right. From there you can:
– Refresh Story
– Rebuild Story
– Remove Story
Tap on the Pencil icon at the top of the app to edit the images that are included. You’ll see all of the images from that date and can check or uncheck them as you wish.
Once you’re thrilled with your story, tap the Share icon or you can also copy the link to the story if you’d like to post it to Facebook or email it.
Additional Changes
What’s more, the update also includes a new photo editor, complete with new filters and creative tools. Tap any photo that you’ve uploaded and then tap the gear icon to access Edit. Now you’ll be able to access a series of options along the bottom. AutoAwesome is still there can be automatically improving your images, but you can also choose to crop, apply filters, and other advanced editing choices.
With each of the filters, once applied, there are additional “styles” that offer different versions of that filter, so be sure to try those out.
Additionally, mobile users can now view total content views on profiles.
Grab the update and check out all the new features, and let me know what you think!