Google+ : Product Review

UPDATE: I came across this hilarious Review : Google+ is dumb Give it a read and tell me what you think.

On Tuesday, June 28th 2011, Google launched its social networking site Google+. 14 days later, it’s population has exploded to an estimated 10 million users while still in the invites-only testing phase.

It’s dubbed ‘The Facebook Killer’ and I say that’s a good run despite Facebook having an estimated 750 million users today. Google has worked hard to correct it’s mistakes on their past developments such as Orkut, Buzz and Wave.

Here are some of the features that the Google team has designed in this project. I’ve highlighted some of my opinions which are open for discussion..

• Circles

(click images to enlarge)

This is the key feature of Google+. It allows you to categorize friends in an easy way depending on how they relate to you, eg. Work, Family, Friends, Hobbies etc. This allows you to receive and share updated within the categories.

I find this similar to twitter or facebook lists. It’s cool tho but not the best marketing tool for businesses.

• Sparks

This is a recommendation engine built in to discover the content that interests you by discovering your interests from what you search on google, what you share through the +1 button etc.

This is very unique and impressive. You notice after logging in you find all your Google details and blogger photos integrated to your Google+. I was surprised to see my 2009 Safari on the Go blog pics already integrated!

• Stream

Just like a Facebook’s NewsFeed and Twitter’s timeline, you add your status updated, photos, videos and links here. Updates from various circles are displayed here also enabling you to interact with the circles or sparks.

All social media platforms require a ‘Home’ page.

• Hangouts

A video interface where you can start a video conversation with friends to a maximum of 10.

Google beat Facebook on this one but I understand Facebook is partnering with Skype to introduce video chatting. I find this to be a little impractical in areas with low bandwidth.

• Photos

You can import photos in mass to Google+ from your mobile phone.

Unfortunately I don’t have an android phone but those who have done a post on this can tweet me the link and I’ll put it here. Google+ will be available to iOS later..

• Huddles

The allow you to start group chart via text messaging quickly and easily. It’s basically an IM service.

• Privacy

The fact that you share on Google+ only with those you want to has raised the level of privacy. Google will not allow profile names with fake names. Such accounts are likely to be suspended and asked to use another name in a secondary spot.

I give Google+ a big plus. What is your opinion? Take a [demo] and if you need an invite, just drop me your Gmail ID via tweet or comment. So, do you think we have enough on social media or are you yet to see a completely unique concept.. Share your opinions below.

Useful Links:

Evans Gichomo on Google+

Introducing the Google+ project [Official Google Blog]

Google page [Huffington Post]

Study: Google+ population explodes to 10 million

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