There has been a lot of buzz on the internet lately about Google’s latest attempt at social networking, and they maybe on the right track.
Google+ is a social networking website allowing it’s user to connect with their friends, family and whatnot to share updates, photos, videos and weblinks. I find that this service however is very comparable to Facebook, who this is clearly targeted to be a competing service.
While Facebook has the News Feed, Google+ has Streams. Where Facebook has Groups, Google+ has Circles. What you Like on Facebook, is +1’d on Google+.
Google+ plus does alot of what Facebook does but brings a new view to the type of service it is. The interface is cleaner and less cluttered. Google is focusing more on the communications and sharing functions than anything else. Google+ allows it’s users to do Video chat from within the site through what they are calling Hangouts. Facebook have decided to intergrate Skype into their site, which has yet to be released, to compete with this.
Just like the Like button found all over the net, you will start seeing +1 buttons start to appear everywhere also. These both act very much the same in their function. It will post the recommendation to the users Stream for the friends to view.
One thing that has impressed me, but other might not be inclined to use, is that Google+ allows user to micro-manage the posts or Status Updates. What I mean by that is that you can choose who can see the update via the Circles. If you make a post, but only want your friend but not your family, well just select the Friend circle when making the post.
I am stick playing with the new service and find new things all the time, but I will continue to share with you what I find.
Google+ is invitation-only at this stage, but will eventually be available to all.
You can find more information here.