Google released a pretty substantial update to its Google+ for iPhone app this afternoon by adding a much crisper user-interface that actually makes the app a bit more enjoyable to use. The update is very welcomed, because the first version of the Google+ app was not very well received by the community. The release notes from Google:

• Whether you post photos or articles or text, we’re making ‘em look gooood.
• We’re adding crisper fonts, larger profile pics and a friendlier homescreen.
• We’re making the stream easier to scan, and easier on the eyes with overlays, gradients and other visual elements.
• Conversations fall into view as you move forward and backward in time.
• Optical cues (like parallax) help the mind linger on individual posts.
• Important actions like +1 now float atop the stream, making it easy to endorse all your favorites.

Check out the full gallery!

When Google revealed its Project Glass last month, the team did not actually show what could be produced from the glasses. Sure, it announced the glasses would feature augmented reality and other smartphone-like apps, but nothing along the lines of an actual photograph taken. However, a few weeks ago, a Google X executive went on “Charlie Rose” to speak a little more about the glasses. During the interview, he posted a picture on Google+ actually taken with the glasses. While the picture does not feature groundbreaking quality, it is still cool to see something taken with the glasses.

Today, we got another look at a photo taken with Project Glass. One of the project leaders, Sebastian Thrun, posted on Google+ today a picture taken with the glasses. As you can see above, the quality seems better this time around, but that could just be due to better lighting.

The folks behind Project Glass are still working on getting the prototypes up and running, and it seems to be coming along nicely. At an event last month, Google co-founder Sergey Brin was seen rocking a pair, although, he made a comment at the time that the glasses were just rebooting and no actual features were working. As we reported a few weeks ago, Google is still up in the air about giving out pairs at Google I/O this summer. However, it looks like Google is starting to get some key features working. We cannot wait to hear more.

Vic Gundotra also tried Project Glass, as you can see after the break:

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Google took to the Official Google Plus Platform Blog this afternoon to announce its new Google+ Share button.

The feature does exactly what it indicates and lets visitors share content with their friends, rather than use the newly-revamped +1 button for a quick endorsement. Oh, and it even turns from gray to red after being clicked (take a look above).

The Google+ Share button is open to publishers around the world, and the code is available to Google Developers at the developers.google.com website.

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Today, on the Official Google Blog, the company just announced a significant update to Google+ that introduces a “a more functional and flexible version of Google+.” The updated service now includes a new app sidebar for navigation, a redesigned stream to help the flow of conversations, updated user profiles with larger photos, revamped Hang Outs, and a new chat list.

The biggest new feature included in the update is redesigned navigation. While navigation was previously done through the static icons at the top of Google+, it has now been moved to a “a dynamic ribbon of applications on the left.” With the new navigation ribbon, you will be able to perform the following:

1. You can drag apps up or down to create the order you want

2. You can hover over certain apps to reveal a set of quick actions

3. You can show or hide apps by moving them in and out of “More”

Google also made many improvements to the way “conversations” work. These improvements include full size photos and videos in your stream, new “conversations cards” that “make it easier to scan and join discussions,” and an “activity drawer” that allows you to keep track of conversations happening around your content.

The video below shows the new Navigation Ribbon in action:
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