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Google+ App for Android Gets A Huge Update

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Today is a pretty big day for those of you already using Google+ and also, for those of you that have yet to give Google’s spin social networking a try. First and foremost, the flood gates have been opened. That’s right, Google+ is now open to anyone and everyone. In addition, Google has rolled out a massive update for both the mobile web version and the Android version that bring some pretty awesome features to the table.

This is easily the biggest update to the Google+ since it arrived on the scene and Google has made it a point to listen to Android owners in order to better the experience as a whole.

Google+ for Android

So what’s new?

The main thing that is new is the addition of Hangouts which is now available for phones running Android 2.3+ and  that have front-facing cameras. You can now join an active hangout and chat with your friends or co-workers face-to-face with your phone.

Google+ App for Android

Google has also added three other things that Google+ users have been asking for:

  • Improved SMS support. Users in the US and India can now post to Google+, receive notifications, and respond to group messages via SMS (with more countries on the way). To start texting, just verify your phone number in Google+ settings.
  • Improved +mentions support. To add someone in your circles to a conversation (or simply get their attention), you can now +[their name] inside a post or comment.
  • +1’ing comments. When you read a great comment in the Stream, you can now +1 it directly from your iOS device (with Android coming soon).

Google+ App for Android Gets A Huge Update

And that’s not all either. Yes, three more major improvements:

  • Edit your profile photo. You can now put your best face forward, from where you happen to be. Just visit your profile, click edit, and you can choose or take a new picture.
  • Customize your notifications. Some notifications may be more important than others, especially when you’re on the go. Now you can decide which ones you see (or not) on your phone.
  • Make some room. If you’re taking lots of photos, or installing lots of apps, then internal storage can sometimes shrink. That’s why you can now move the Google+ app to SD storage on Android devices.

Google has also decided to rename Huddle to Messenger and in doing that, it has brought photo sharing into the mix. This way you can show your Circles how awesome your vacation is or even how bored you are.

So again, this is rolling out to Android owners today and unfortunately for you iOS owners, it appears that you’re going to have to wait to get the goods. Google did say that an update to the app would be arriving soon though.

Those of you with Android can find it on the Market here.

12 Comments

12 Comments

  1. Soccernick98

    09/20/2011 at 6:48 pm

    I am seeming to like this new update. :D

  2. Yunus

    09/21/2011 at 1:30 am

    Can somebody PLEASE tell me the point of Huddle (or Messenger, or whatever it’s called)? The fragmentation on the mobile instant messenger market is already huge (gtalk, what’s app, bbm, fb, many others). Why add one more player to the mix? Don’t you think integrating gtalk group chat feature with a circle would make more sense?

  3. Jnong1

    09/21/2011 at 3:03 am

    Idk why but my phone wont update.All my friends who have the same phone as me (Lg Optimus S) already updated.I checked About phone and system update but it says its already up to date.And I know mines isn’t updated because my friends homescreen looks different.

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