Hangouts on Air Goes Public – This Week in Google Plus
Google is not wasting any time this week to bring us new and improved features for Google Plus, as well as branching out even further in the realm of technology. Here are some of the many highlights over the past 7 days!
New Google Plus Features
Google Plus App for iPhone Gets an Overhaul
The new update for the Google Plus App for the iPhone is a complete makeover for the application. Instead of scrolling down the Facebook-esque News Feed looking for new content, the user is now immersed in every post they see!
Commenting, sharing, and liking content have been simplified in this new version, and it feels much more interactive. One of my personal favorite changes is being able to see the most recent notification you receive without having to press the “notification” button, it is now displayed at the bottom of your home page automatically. Read more about the changes that were made here.
Improved Google Plus Notifications in Gmail
Google, and other social media sites, has always been good with sending users “notification emails” whenever their Google Plus account is interacted with by other users. However, these emails were always just emails. They were only sent to notify users and hopefully causing them to log onto Google Plus and continue the interaction.
That all changed this week, as Google has now enabled users to reply, comment, +1, and share content directly from within these notification emails! Now whenever another user comments on something that you posted, you will receive a notification email for this as well as the ability to reply from within the same email. Read more here.
Google Plus Post Scheduling Available
A new Chrome extension called “Do Share” now allows users to schedule their posts on Google Plus!
Users can write posts in the extension, then choose the exact time that that certain post is shared on Google Plus. There are other programs/websites that allow this option for other social media platforms (ie. Twitter), but this is the first utilization of this idea in terms of Google Plus. Read more about Do Share here.
Hangouts on Air Will Be Available to the Public
Early this week, Google announced that over the course of the next few weeks they will be allowing Google Plus users to host their own Live On Air Hangouts. This will allow users to have personalized Hangouts that can be seen by anyone on YouTube or Google Plus!
This may prove to be a game changer for businesses looking to promote a product or to receive direct feedback from their clientele on a global scale. Read more about the announcement here.
Google Plus News
Google’s Self-Driving Cars Get the Green Flag
This week in Nevada, Google has received its official driving license for its new self-driving car prototype. The car will use a combination of artificial intelligence, computer sensors, and GPS to navigate through the roadways of Nevada.
This only the start of news surrounding driver-less automobiles, and more news promises to be reported on as the project continues. Read more about the new Google self-driving car here.
More Updates for Project Glass
Every few weeks, we receive an update and the long anticipated Project Glass. For those who do not know what that is, its a pair of glasses manufactured by Google that will project information into your field of vision and allow the user to interact with the internet while wearing the glasses. Last update we received a picture taken by the glasses. This week, Google has released a video! Check it out.
There has not been a quiet week in the Googleverse yet! Check back next week for another update of all the recent happenings in the world of Google.
Until then, happy plussing!
-Mark Gundersen
Hangouts on Air Goes Public – This Week in Google Plus
About Mark Gundersen
Current blogger for UpYourPlus; sharing the most up-to-date features and news surrounding the world of Google and social media with all Google Plus members.