Google has released a flurry of updates for the Google+ Mobile App, just in time for the busy Holiday season. Merry Christmas to us! The udpate includes Google+ Community support, profile editing, a brand new stream design and more. There are updates for both Android and iOS users, and some of the features are a little different depending on the platform.
According to the app store, the update includes:
– New features: Google+ Communities
– Ability to subscribe to any circle for notifications
– Ability to indicate how many guests you’re bringing to an event
– Support for time zones in Events
– Basic profile editing
– New compose UI for easier sharing
– New visual stream design
– Discover people and topics more easily using ‘Find people’
Mobile Photo Viewing and Sharing
Android users can now backup their photos (up to 5GB free) as full-size images, as well as standard size. You’ll have to utilize “Instant Share” to take advantage of this feature, so make sure you’re taking steps to control what images actually get published to your stream. The update for Android also supports Photo Spheres in the stream.
On iPhones and iPads, users can now view photos in more spectacular ways. You can swipe through photos albums inline or tap once to view a photo.
Planning and Participating in Events
Within Events, you can now send messages to specific guests and see who’s opened your invitation. You can invite people through Google+ or by simply copying the URL of your event into an email or IM, and your guests can RSVP with the number of people they’re bringing. Events can also be duplicated.
Hangout With Anyone
Hangouts has been upgraded so that even those with low bandwidth can use the feature, needing as little as 150kb. The broadcast experience of Hangouts On Air has been improved, and if you’re the only one participating, you’ll be able to enjoy full screen video. On iOS, you’ll see new conversation cards that spotlight your content—from longer snippets to bigger photos to comments that slide in beneath each post. On Android, we’re giving you animated GIFs, birthday reminders in Google Now, and a lock screen widget.
The mobile apps are available on both Google Play (v3.3) and the App Store (v4.0).
What do you think of these updates? Impressed? What would you like to see from Google+ mobile that’s still missing?
