Google Plus

306 'Google Plus' stories June 2011 - December 2017

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Google Plus was developed at breakneck speed to counter the rising threat of Facebook in social. Launched in June 2011, Google Plus allowed users to post status updates and organized friends into groups called Circles. There was an instant messaging and video component called Hangouts, as well as a photo backup service.

In addition to being a social network, Plus was meant to be the social layer to all of Google’s other products. A user’s Google Plus profile was used for many other services, like YouTube. The ‘+1’ button was a competitor to Facebook’s ‘Like’ button and was present throughout the web.

Despite the attempts at company-wide integration, Google Plus never really took of among users. In November of 2015, Google unveiled a major redesign that put a renewed focus on Collections and Communities to create an interest-based social network instead.

Popular features like Hangouts and Google Photos were eventually spun out into their own separate and wildly popular product.

Google+ adds advanced search filters, ‘Insights’ tab w/ Community stats for mods, owners

Abner Li Dec 12 2017 - 1:34 pm PT

Google’s nascent social network geared towards Collections and Communities is gaining advanced search features to make it easier to find posts. Meanwhile, Google+ is also adding more metrics for Community moderators and G Suite admins.

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Google+ posts on the web redesigned with simplified comments view

Abner Li Sep 21 2017 - 12:19 pm PT

Google+ has a small but rabid following, and — believe it or not — it still gets updated with new features. The most recent was a new “Discover” feature that highlights the best content on the social network. Today’s update is smaller, but brings a key change to how comments are displayed.

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Google+ launches new ‘Discover’ feature to surface the social network’s best content

Abner Li Aug 16 2017 - 5:02 pm PT

Google+’s continued focus on Collections and Communities has served the social network rather well since its 2015 relaunch. The service is now launching a new Discover feature to to surface the best content.

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Google+ reopens sign-ups for Early Access program to beta test new features

Abner Li Jul 27 2017 - 1:10 pm PT

Google+

Launching six years ago last month, Google+ has since refocused on becoming an interest-based network centered around Collections and Communities. Google today reopened its Early Access program for the social product that allows fans to beta test new features.

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Comment: Google+ still exists six years later, but I finally gave up on it because of the rampant spam

Ben Schoon Jun 28 2017 - 2:00 pm PT

When social media comes to mind you probably think about Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, or Instagram. The butt of the joke with social media, though, has long been Google+. You’ve probably heard dozens of times that it’s a “dead” platform, but six years later to the day it’s still chugging along.

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Google+ adds ‘Topics’ to help find high-quality content from Communities and Collections

Stephen Hall Apr 27 2017 - 2:15 pm PT

Google+ is a niche community in the bigger picture of online social networks, but it’s one that’s filled to the brim with Google fans. Now, those super-fans — yes, some of us included — have a new way to find content from Communities and Collections: Topics…

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Google removes location sharing from Google+ as it appears for more Google Maps users

Justin Duino Mar 28 2017 - 2:00 pm PT

One of the lesser-known features found in Google+ was the ability to share your exact location with people in your circles. Now, with the wider rollout of the new location sharing feature coming to Google Maps, this functionality has been removed from the social network.

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‘Classic’ Google+ interface will be deprecated on Jan 24th, while Events feature returns

Abner Li Jan 17 2017 - 10:37 am PT

In late 2015, Google+ received a significant redesign and a new focus on Communities and Collections. While Google iterated on this new version, the old version remained accessible. With a slew of new features coming, including Events, the classic interface will no longer be available as of later this month.

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Google+ using machine learning to display high-resolution images w/ 75% less bandwidth

Abner Li Jan 11 2017 - 2:19 pm PT

Back in November, Google showed off a machine learning technique that enhances low-res and blurry images. The RAISR technique is now being used in Google+ to display high-resolution photos while using an impressive 75% less bandwidth.

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Google+ becomes part of Google Apps for Work’s core services

Justin Duino Sep 21 2016 - 6:51 pm PT

Google Plus is a social media network that is either fantastic or a ghost town depending on who you ask. Google has long stood behind its social network and is now looking to bring it — in an officially supported capacity — to the enterprise market. Starting today, Google+ is a “core” service packaged alongside other officially supported Google Apps for Work services…

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Google+ on the web adds push notifications in Chrome

Ben Schoon Sep 8 2016 - 7:28 am PT

Its redesign is now old news, but Google is still slowly adding features to Google+ — and recently they quietly added push notifications on the desktop. Through Google Chrome, users can now get their notifications pushed to them on top of active windows. While this isn’t for everybody (it is Google+, of course), this should prove useful for those who actively use the social network and want to quickly respond to any new mentions or post notifications.

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Hangouts on Air will move from Google+ to YouTube Live next month

Ben Schoon Aug 15 2016 - 2:55 pm PT

Over the past several months we’ve been seeing Google moving various services away from Google+. The app no longer comes pre-loaded on Android devices, you no longer need a Google+ account for YouTube or Google Play, and now the company is cutting another chunk out of the social network, Hangouts on Air.

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Paranoid Android is back with new ‘all new features’, ‘new team members’ and more

Edoardo Maggio Jun 9 2016 - 6:09 am PT

Following the acquisition by OnePlus back in February 2015, most of the team working on the Paranoid Android ROM fled to the Chinese company’s shore to work on the Oxygen OS, which eventually made its way to the OnePlus 2 and its sibling smartphones.

There was no indication that the team would make a comeback, but as per a post released today, it looks like death previsions were everything but right…

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New Google+ Content Controls flag spam and inappropriate posts in Communities

Abner Li Apr 13 2016 - 10:40 am PT

The latest iteration of Google+ heavily revolves around Collections and Communities. To help prevent spam and inappropriate content, Communities now have more aggressive content controls and filters that will flag posts. Google is gradually rolling out the new filters to existing communities…

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Google+ update makes Circles more prominent, new Create program highlights top creators

Abner Li Mar 10 2016 - 8:52 am PT

When Google+ launched in 2011, one of its marquee features was grouping people into circles. There was a nifty drag-and-drop interface and the ability to limit posts to specific circles. Last year’s Google+ redesign hid the feature, but an update to the Android app now resurfaces it. The social network is also launching Google+ Create to recognize top content creators and give them access to early features.

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Google+ 7.3 pre-renders pages on WiFi, adds notification filtering, moderation tools, more

Abner Li Feb 24 2016 - 1:32 pm PT

An update to Google+ for Android will now preload webpages when on WiFi, adds notification filtering, Community moderation tools, and more in addition to other bug fixes.

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Play Games announces automatic sign-in, no longer requires a Google+ account

Abner Li Jan 25 2016 - 8:43 am PT

Over the weekend, Google announced changes to Play Games permissions that are mostly meant for developers, but regular users who game on Android will also see a benefit. Players no longer need their Google accounts upgraded to Google+ to use Play Games and can now automatically be signed-in with a standard Google account.

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Google testing opening links via Chrome Custom Tabs in Google+ app

Abner Li Jan 20 2016 - 9:32 am PT

Some users are reporting that links in Google+ for Android are opening as Chrome Custom Tabs. The feature introduced and released last year opens links twice as fast when compared to being pushed out to a browser. The update appears to be triggered server-side and was apart of last week’s update.

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Inbox by Gmail adds Photos-integreated attachment picker, posts can be pinned to Google+ Profile

Abner Li Jan 15 2016 - 11:51 am PT

Google has been sprucing up their web apps this week as the first new updates of 2016 start to trickle in. Inbox by Gmail on the web adds a super convenient photo and attachment picker, while Google Plus now allows users to pin posts to their profiles.

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Google+ 7.0.0 for Android rolling out with improved search, auto-hiding bottom tab bar, more

Cam Bunton Jan 13 2016 - 2:03 pm PT

Google, Luke Wroblewski has shared some information on a new version of the Google Plus app which should be rolling out to the Play Store over the next couple of days. The G+ update will take the social networking app up to version 7.0.0 and includes a number of requested new features, as well as a boatload of bug fixes.

In the latest version of Google’s Android app, users should notice that the bottom tab bar is automatically hidden whenever they’re scrolling up or down any page (except the notifications screen). It may seem like a minor design change, but it does free up more screen real estate for actual content, and makes the app look a lot less cluttered.

Another new useful feature (which I can’t quite believe wasn’t already there) is the autocomplete suggestions which show up as you type in the search bar. As well as that, the home stream will now remember your position if you happen to go to a different screen within the app, so you don’t have to scroll down to find where you were when you return to it.

Lastly, along with the 69 bug fixes and 14 accessibility issues that were addressed, the new Google Plus app places a prompt on your profile to add a Collection or Community if you don’t have one. As we all know by now, Google Plus is now all about the Collections and Communities.

The updated app is available on the Play Store from today. If you have it installed, the update should show up on your device over the next day or two, if it hasn’t already.

Google Plus on web gets update, Auto-play GIFs can now be toggled on/off

Cam Bunton Dec 12 2015 - 9:20 am PT

Following the recent major Google Plus update and renewed focus on Communities and Collections, the social network’s web view recently updated with a few much-needed tweaks. Googler, Luke Wroblewski posted to his profile with details of the new changes being made to the online version.

As you’d expect, many of these new changes are being released to strengthen the Communities and Collections experiences. Within Community pages, the sidebar now has links taking you directly to individual categories specific to that Community. What’s more, you can now pin posts within Collections, and there’s a clearer notification indicator on the home stream to inform you how many notifications you have to read through. Google has also built in a new pop-up window to make sure you don’t lose new posts when you switch to a different page.

Perhaps of most relief is the new toggle which lets you switch auto-playing GIFs on or off. Apparently opinion was divided on whether they should auto-play, or not. Some loved it, others hated it, so Google gave users the option to choose. Details and images of the new features are below:

G+ Web Preview Update 12/11
Today we’re rolling out several updates to our G+ preview on the Web including:

* Visible links to categories on Community pages
* Auto-play of animated GIFs (with a setting to turn on/off)
* Ability to pin posts within Collections
* Clearer indication of notifications on the home stream
* Warning to ensure you don’t lose new posts when changing pages

Some of these changes were unanimously requested (people want community categories visible!). Others required us to strike an appropriate balance between opposing feedback (some people love animated GIFs, others don’t!). In all cases, we really appreciate your thoughts so please keep them coming using the Send Feedback menu item.

$100 Google Play gift card for under $80 shipped (20% off)

Justin Kahn Nov 26 2015 - 10:57 am PT

From 9to5Toys.com:

As expected from its leaked Black Friday ad, Sam’s Club is now offering a $100 Google Play gift card for $79.64 shipped. That’s more than 20% off your next Google Play purchases on games, apps, movies, TV shows and more. While we do see iTunes gift cards go on sale quite often, these Google Play vouchers are much harder to come by. They can be amazing gifts for Android users and anyone who’s locked into Google’s video services.

It ships free and can be redeemed on the web or Android devices. Full details/instructions can be found below. Head over to 9to5Toys for all of the best Black Friday deals the entire weekend-long.

Includes:

One (1) $100 Google Play gift card

To redeem on the web:

Go to play.google.com/redeem.

Scratch label off of card & enter code.

Start shopping – your gift card value will be added to your Google Play balance.

To redeem on an Android phone/tablet:

Launch the Google Play Store app on your Android phone or tablet.

Select Redeem.

Scratch label off of card & enter code.

Start shopping – your gift card value will be added to your Google Play balance.

Specifications

Terms and Conditions

Use of card subject to additional terms and privacy policy: play.google.com/about/card-terms.html. Valid only for users 13+ years of age and resident of U.S. Redemption requires Google Wallet account and internet access. Limits may apply to redemption and use. No fees or expiration dates applicable to this card. Card may be used for purchases of eligible items on Google Play only. Any refunded amount will be credited back to your Google Play balance for future use under same terms. Card is not redeemable for cash or other cards; not reloadable or refundable; cannot be combined with other non-Google Play balances in your Google Wallet account, resold, exchanged or transferred for value (except as required by law). Once card is purchased, risk of loss and title for card passes to purchaser. Google Payment Corp. and its affiliates disclaim all express or implied warranties as to the Google Play card and Google Play.

Here’s how to manually opt-in to the new Google+ UI on the web

Stephen Hall Nov 17 2015 - 3:13 pm PT

The new Google+ interface is rolling out on the web today, and if you’re anything like me, you don’t have much patience for slow rollouts. I still hadn’t been prompted to click the “Let’s go” button and get the new layout, but luckily I stumbled on a way (via Sean S) to opt myself in without any wait time. Here’s how…
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Redesigned Google+ rolling out w/ focus on Communities & Collections, rebuilt mobile apps

Jordan Kahn Nov 17 2015 - 1:22 pm PT

Google is rolling out a redesigned Google+ today hat it says focuses on two features, Communicates and Collections, that people said kept them coming back to the service.
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