The Latest in Online Engagement: Google +

The internet has transformed the way we see communities and pulls us closer together than ever before. With Facebook on a steady climb, many have tried to beat its prowess, and yet none have come to par. This month’s most recent player is Google + (Google Plus); the brain child of Google’s senior vice president Vic Gundotra.

‘’We’d like to bring the nuance and richness of real-life sharing to software. We want to make Google better by including you, your relationships, and your interests. And so begins the Google+ project.’’ - Vic Gundotra, Senior Vice President, Engineering (Google).

It’s no Facebook, but Google + has caused a ripple in social media buzz. What is Google +? Well, to put it simply, it’s a tool for more social interaction. It takes what Facebook and Twitter have taught us by making a unique User Interface (UI) that has gotten a lot of great reviews. Currently being launched by invitation, Google + sure knows how to keep you on your toes. An awesome social media tool for the preferred? Who wouldn’t want to have a piece of that?

The simplicity in the UI of Google + is what users have begun to love. Atop that, the tools are few and easy to use. Instead of having Twitter lists or Facebook groups, Google + introduces Circles that expand as you drag friends into them. It makes a very good visual translation of our social lives and helps us keep track of the friends we prefer. Isn’t how most of us want it?

Let’s admit it; social media tends to create noise on our live feeds. And circles has proven the most practical (and easy to use) tool by Google +. In the same manner, Google + has introduced a new way of video conference with up to 10 of your friends through their Hangouts. Can’t decide on a place to get together? Take time to talk on Google Hangouts.

In a nutshell, Google + is a nifty tool that Google has introduced to the many social media fans among us who prefer to network on the web. It’s sleek and it’s definitely worth the switch!