Trying my "new friend" Google+
Google just released, albeit on limited access only, their answer to Facebook. Dubbed Google+ (), the social networking site seems to show a lot of promise, compared to previous attempts by the company.
I got lucky enough to get an invite from a fellow TEDster (no, I will not name my friend, sorry) and started playing. Basic features include the Stream, Circles, Sparks and Hangouts.
Google+ Stream is akin to Facebook's Status Page. Circles is the equivalent of Pages. Sparks, on the other hand, is different - it leverages on what Google does best, scour the internet for everything about anything that interests you. Hangouts is the souped up equivalent of Facebook Chat. Hangouts, however, requires you to install a free plug-in. Once installed, you can chat and do audio and video conferencing with multiple participants. Cool, huh?
Google also released the Android client for Google+. It has the basic Google+ functionality, but minus the Hangouts. However, the mobile client has an added feature, called Huddle, which is a group messaging service. Huddle, unfortunately, is exclusive to the mobile client.
Checking the Android Market, Google+ client is not available on my account. It probably is region-locked again. However, when I checked the Market on the web, it says that the app is incompatible with my NexusOne! Weird, the minimum requirement is Android 2.1+, and my N1 is on 2.3. Oh well, thanks to a friend currently on work assignment in the US, I was able to get the app and side-loaded it! Neat, huh?
Google+ shows that it finally understands "being social". I am optimistic that Google+ will eventually mature into a worthy alternative to Facebook. :) I wish that Google integrates Hangouts and Huddle into one seamless messaging solution, then they will have another killer feature.
My personal take so far? With a handful of friends on it and the lack of a full iOS app, Google+ is still not a Facebook killer for me. The moment that the iOS app gets released and my friends start using it, then maybe I'd reconsider using Facebook. So, will Facebook go the way of Friendster? We will see.- Article courtesy of Manila Bulletin.
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