Posts tagged Facebook

Google introduced a social network known as Google+ today, which aims to change the way we stay in touch with people online. The service emphasizes on how data is shared, and with whom, as well as privacy.

Among the most basic of human needs is the need to connect with others. With a smile, a laugh, a whisper or a cheer, we connect with others every single day.

Today, the connections between people increasingly happen online. Yet the subtlety and substance of real-world interactions are lost in the rigidness of our online tools.

In this basic, human way, online sharing is awkward. Even broken. And we aim to fix it.

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:

Circles – Organize your friends

Circles is Google’s attempt to help users be more selective as to what kind of information they want to share, and with whom. By allowing to sort friends into different “circles”, they can then assign different data to each circle. That way, the information shared with family and close friends can be different from the one you share with your gym partners.

• It’s sloppy. We only want to connect with certain people at certain times, but online we hear from everyone all the time.
• It’s scary. Every online conversation (with over 100 “friends”) is a public performance, so we often share less because of stage fright.
• It’s insensitive. We all define “friend” and “family” differently—in our own way, on our own terms—but we lose this nuance online.

In light of these shortcomings we asked ourselves, “What do people actually do?” And we didn’t have to search far for the answer. People in fact share selectively all the time—with their circles.

From close family to foodies, we found that people already use real-life circles to express themselves, and to share with precisely the right folks. So we did the only thing that made sense: we brought Circles to software. Just make a circle, add your people, and share what’s new—just like any other day:

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Sparks – Chat with like minded people about the stuff you & they care about!

Sparks are like simplified message board threads, allowing users to chat about a topic with like-minded friends. Google’s vast prominence on the web will give users access to a feed of interesting things to talk about, and depending on interests users set, it will invite them into new and exciting conversations. Users can also, of course, create their own threads and have like-minded people read and comment on them.

Hangouts – stop by and say hello, face-to-face-to-face

Just think: when you walk into the pub or step onto your front porch, you’re in fact signaling to everyone around, “Hey, I’ve got some time, so feel free to stop by.” Further, it’s this unspoken understanding that puts people at ease, and encourages conversation. But today’s online communication tools (like instant messaging and video-calling) don’t understand this subtlety:

• They’re annoying, for starters. You can ping everyone that’s “available,” but you’re bound to interrupt someone’s plans.
• They’re also really awkward. When someone doesn’t respond, you don’t know if they’re just not there, or just not interested.

Mobile – share what’s around, right now, without any hassle

Location, location, location
In life, the places we visit shape conversations in lots of meaningful ways. If we call John from the airport, he’ll likely ask about our trip. Or if Jane texts from a nearby restaurant, we might join her for dessert. With Google+ you can add your location to every post. (Or not. It’s always up to you.)

Huddle – group messaging on the go

Also built into Google+’s mobile App, +Huddle, a group messaging service. While it’s still unclear how this service will work, it will allow users to have group text chats with their friends on the go. Google is framing this feature as a replacement for SMS.

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Google is currently allowing a limited number of users access the service. If you’re looking for an invite, check Google+’s official website or Google Blog

For a tour/demo of Google+ Click here!

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• How was the year 2011 in the eyes of Google Search
• How to Disable Facebook Timeline.