In just two weeks, Google’s newest project has grown quickly amid positive reviews.
According to Google Inc. CEO Larry Page, more than 10 million people have joined Google Plus-the company’s biggest venture into the hot social networking arena. The project allows its users to share information with certain groups only, take part in online video chats with those in your chosen “˜circles’, and start up a conversation about pretty much anything at any time.
Google+ is still in a restricted, test phase, and invites to join are highly coveted. Global News is already experimenting with the tool (if you’re on Google+ please add GlobalNews to your circle).
Here’s a quick look at some of the features (click here to view introductory YouTube Google+ videos):
Circles
Facebook has already developed the idea of “˜groups’ that allow users to only share information with certain people and not others, and Google+ is building on this idea with “˜circles’.
In a posting on their blog, Google writes “The problem is that today’s online services turn friendship into fast food-wrapping everyone in “friend” paper-and sharing really suffers.”
With circles people can add anyone, such as close friends, family, or those who share a common interest, and share something with only those people, whether it is a joke or a story or even a limerick.
Video – The Google+ project: Circles
Sparks
Another feature of the Google+ project is “˜sparks’, which not only allows the user to strike up a conversation about a given topic, but also provides feeds about that topic from all across the web.
Video – The Google+ project: Sparks
Hangouts
This one is pretty self-explanatory; take the social aspect of hanging out in person, in a bar or café, and put the experience online. People can join or leave whenever they want.
“Hangouts let you stop by when you’re free, and spend time with your Circles. Face-to-face-to-face.”
Video – The Google+ project: Hangouts
While early response to Google+ has been positive, there is no guarantee for broader success. According to Facebook, Google’s biggest social media competitor, the networking website boasts more than 750 million active users worldwide. Facebook also claims people spend over 700 billion minutes per month on Facebook and more than 30 billion pieces of content are shared each month.
Google+ is an extension of Google, and not a separate social media experience. Google Inc. CEO Larry Page’s traditionally frosty relationship with Wall Street turned into a warm embrace Thursday after Google Inc. released strong financial results for its latest quarter. The Internet search leader earned $2.5 billion, or $7.68 per share, in the April-June period-a 36 per cent increase from $1.84 billion, or $5.71 per share, a year ago.
With files from The Associated Press
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