iOS Google+ app gets major overhaul
Google updated its Google+ social networking app for iOS on Wednesday, combining significant design changes under the hood with a more integrated user interface experience.
The Mountain View-based company's playful naming scheme continues with Google+ version 2.0.0.5888 and while the service's main features like Circles, photo galleries and Messenger remain unchanged, the overall UI has been noticeably reworked.
The revamped iOS app reflects a design inspired by the recently-renovated Google+ web destination, which the company says is a step in the direction of a "simpler, more beautiful Google." There, as with the new app, layout is defined by soft lines and curves, clean text and an emphasis on media.
Perhaps the most prominent feature of the iPhone-only program is its depiction of photos in the smooth-scrolling post stream. As a user moves past one entry, the next "falls down" in a dissolve-in animation at the bottom of the screen while pictures from the current post, called "full-bleed photos" by Google, occupy most of the display's real estate.
Copious use of gradients and other visual tricks comprise the main stream page while more basic tap-and-swipe lists are arranged in categories to take care of data organization. Rounding out the app are backend improvements and smaller UI tweaks like button placement and fonts.
Google+ for iOS post stream (left), contents page (middle), and Messenger (right). | Source: Google
Interestingly, Google rolled out the iOS version of Google+ before launching the app on its own mobile OS, though the company's Senior Vice President of Engineering Vic Gundotra said that the "Android update is coming in a few weeks (with a few extra surprises)." The iPad is still left without a native version and there was no announcement made as to whether a universal iOS app is being developed.
The Mountain View-based company's playful naming scheme continues with Google+ version 2.0.0.5888 and while the service's main features like Circles, photo galleries and Messenger remain unchanged, the overall UI has been noticeably reworked.
The revamped iOS app reflects a design inspired by the recently-renovated Google+ web destination, which the company says is a step in the direction of a "simpler, more beautiful Google." There, as with the new app, layout is defined by soft lines and curves, clean text and an emphasis on media.
Perhaps the most prominent feature of the iPhone-only program is its depiction of photos in the smooth-scrolling post stream. As a user moves past one entry, the next "falls down" in a dissolve-in animation at the bottom of the screen while pictures from the current post, called "full-bleed photos" by Google, occupy most of the display's real estate.
Copious use of gradients and other visual tricks comprise the main stream page while more basic tap-and-swipe lists are arranged in categories to take care of data organization. Rounding out the app are backend improvements and smaller UI tweaks like button placement and fonts.
Google+ for iOS post stream (left), contents page (middle), and Messenger (right). | Source: Google
Interestingly, Google rolled out the iOS version of Google+ before launching the app on its own mobile OS, though the company's Senior Vice President of Engineering Vic Gundotra said that the "Android update is coming in a few weeks (with a few extra surprises)." The iPad is still left without a native version and there was no announcement made as to whether a universal iOS app is being developed.
Comments
Quote:
Originally Posted by SolipsismX
So iOS gets Google+ app first but Android is winning?
What is Google + anyway?
I no longer log into anything Google on my MacBook, ever since they lied to me and overrode my decision to not allow their cookies through underhanded means i.e. hacking my browser.
**** them.
Edit:-
I see there is now a swearing asterisk filter thingy on this new forum.
What I really meant to say is:-
F
U
C
K
them!
Quote:
Originally Posted by hill60
What is Google + anyway?
Their social networking.
Quote:
Originally Posted by hill60
What is Google + anyway?
It's Google Buzz + Google Wave.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil
Their social networking.
Nah, that's called orkut.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil
Their social networking.
Like Bebo or Ping?
Quote:
Originally Posted by hill60
Like Bebo or Ping?
Yes, but even LESS relevant.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cvaldes1831
It's Google Buzz + Google Wave.
Two discontinued services for the price* of one!
*your online soul
Quote:
Nah, that's called orkut.
Ah, Tagalog for "crap", I see.
LOLz who uses this? Its already the way of myspace.
Quote:
Originally Posted by hill60
What is Google + anyway?
I no longer log into anything Google on my MacBook, ever since they lied to me and overrode my decision to not allow their cookies through underhanded means i.e. hacking my browser.
lol @ hacking your browser...you might as well not use the internet if that's your main concern.
iOS doesn't get Google+ app first -- I am currently on version 2.5.0.329322 (the iOS app is 2.0.0.5888). Google is testing some features on Android first, others on iOS first... not a big deal. Android and iOS are good friends :-)
<img src = "https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uAez7hAdMgg/T6sKTIkdnfI/AAAAAAABewI/TBKdMYKUlCA/w497-h373/fixed.jpg">
If you think Facebook treats user's privacy like crap, know that Google+ iPhone app will upload ALL your photos on your phone without asking for permission and over 3G. You will need to dig into its settings to prevent this.
Apple is like that consistent A plus student who is expected to excel beyond any rating system. They may have to invent a triple A plus, plus, plus for Apple just to rate the same as a mediocre or failing company.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SolipsismX
So iOS gets Google+ app first but Android is winning?
Nah. It's the first letters in the anagram of "eat". Maybe Google should have been called it "la crosse" or "pinto" though.
Tea
Ate
Eta
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil
Ah, Tagalog for "crap", I see.
Quote:
Originally Posted by filburt
If you think Facebook treats user's privacy like crap, know that Google+ iPhone app will upload ALL your photos on your phone without asking for permission and over 3G. You will need to dig into its settings to prevent this.
Really? I just downloaded it and the first thing it asked me was how I would like to upload my photos. Three options were presented, Wifi + 3G, Wifi only, and off.
Nice bit of FUD you put out there.
The chat thing is a little clunky (it has a fixed height row for chat so long lines get cropped), but apart from that initial impressions are positive.
+1!
Ooops.
[/quote]
On Android at least you are alerted to this optional feature as.soon as.you install and open the app. I had assumed it was the same on iOS.
I like G+, I like Facebook and I like Twitter. To me, they are like different television channels where it's the content I'm consuming - not the brand of station.
I wish they had added Hangouts and G+Pages to the iOS version.
Another improving item would be to be able to +1 to any one of your G+Pages - this should be introduced for the web browser G+ +1 buttons too.
There's truth to that, but I do find it highly questionable of a large company that once had "don't be evil" as a motto to do any work to bypass a user's privacy settings without the user's permission.
Jeff, according to users even Apple themselves are bypassing user's preferences and placing cookies when they supposedly were blocked. Don't you find it odd that if the Safari flaw that allowed it was truly a bug that it's still not been fixed with an update? It's been weeks since it became an issue in the press, and Apple has yet to say they will offer a fix, only that they were considering it. In the meantime other sites are still placing cookies against user's wishes even if Google themselves aren't doing so anymore.
I personally take that as an indicator that it may be an intentional hole rather than an error. Just my opinion of course.
Quote:
Originally Posted by djsherly
Really? I just downloaded it and the first thing it asked me was how I would like to upload my photos. Three options were presented, Wifi + 3G, Wifi only, and off.
Nice bit of FUD you put out there.
The chat thing is a little clunky (it has a fixed height row for chat so long lines get cropped), but apart from that initial impressions are positive.
It didn't prompt me at all.
Both Facebook and Google+ suck at the quality of their mobile interface. As far as I can tell, they're both flailing about cluelessly in a world that has suddenly gone mobile.