iPhone's Google+ App: A Review
It was announced today that after three weeks of anxious waiting, users on Google's beta version of their invite-only social networking site Google+ can finally take their sharing mobile.
Getting your download
Google+ has grown considerably, despite it's testing status, achieving over 10,000,000 users in its first three weeks of service. With the new mobile app, expect even more fanfare about and use of the site.
Perhaps because it's brand new or because Google+ is in beta, but the new app has failed to show up in the iTunes Store's search results for many. If this is the case for you as well, here's a handy link to the app on iTunes Preview.
Getting started
The download was quick, and installation easy. Once the app is fully downloaded, click on it to launch a welcome screen, along with a Get Started button. Most of what I accomplished on the app was done with a fairly abysmal connection via AT&T as you can see from my iPhone 2G screenshot.
Apple says that you need an Apple 3G or greater in order to use the app, but thus far I am not seeing issues with my earlier model. Don't hate on me, I'm just waiting for the iPhone 5 to come out later this year (fingers crossed.)
You'll be given the option to sign in right off the bat using your Google credentials, or starting up a new Google account. Remember, Google+ is invite only, so you won't be able to login with your credentials unless you've received access. Here's the easy part: if you provide your GMail address in the comments below, I'll be sure to send you an invite...
The Main Menu - no Hangouts?
After you're in, you'll see a menu with five buttons - Stream, Huddle, Photos, Profile, and Circles. These are all tools Google+ users are familiar with. If you don't know much about them yet, please take the time to review Google's tutorial on their new social network.
So why no Hangouts? The incredibly popular video conferencing tool is nowhere to be seen on the new iPhone app. Perhaps it's based on the complications involved with adding in Hangouts, coupled with the smaller iPhone screen size? According to Google+ Mobile Engineer Punit Soni, the team is still investigating the feasibility of scaling such a feature out to all users, which is understandable.
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