Google +

[pa___ul3]

Is it just a Facebook / Twitter hybrid?

Anyone going to bother with it?

I've set up an account, just out of interest really, but I'll most likely end up sticking to facebook unless this has some mega glorious bonuses!

[TypewriterHeaven]

Yep, it is growing among the cognoscenti! Early adopters are already enjoying networking, video conferencing with the "hang-out" feature, and anyone posting images wil be impressed at the improvement in render quality over, say, Facebook.

[pa___ul3]

ok cool, cheers, I'll give it a chance then. Having a little trouble so far finding people to add even when I know they're on there already but I suppose they're just basic teething problems.

[emmie]

what is it?

[pa___ul3]

it's googles very own social networking site, seems linked to gmail and all that, I'm guessing they're going for the 'all encompassing'.

[askyourgran]

I followed the arrow on Google homepage, and found myself there. I forgot had a gmail address and I've forgotton what is is. I'll probably have a look later but I don't use FB much.

[AB Editor]

The best review I've heard is "it's facebook, but less facebooky". Which can only be a good thing!

[pa___ul3]

ha, it's deffo got a hint of twitter in there too, 'following' celebs and all that jazz. I've not really taken to twitter though.

No idea what the whole +1 thing is all aboot either!

[AB Editor]

It means your friends will see what you recommend on certain keywords in search.

If you're friends with me, and search for "Cats wearing mittens" and I've +1'd ALL my favourite cats-in-mittens videos you'll see "AnswerBankEditor Has +1'd this" next to the result.

[pa___ul3]

aah ok, so a bit like a 'like' in fb but with a bit more to it?

[Ellipsis]

Facebook is (probably) going to be announcing some big upgrades on Thursday.

Google+ is nice - I've been using it for a couple of months. Watch out if you use the mobile version, it auto-enables uploads of photos you take on your phone to the Web (you can opt out of this but it's not the default!). On the plus side for privacy, Google+ has the concept of "circles" which helps keep your personal life and professional life very separate - and even different bits of those lives (e.g. in your personal life, conversations you have with adults separate from conversations you have with kids). I know you can do this too with Facebook, but it's a lot of effort. Google+ is built from the ground up on this principle, which I think is a definite bonus ...

[Playbill]

Is it just my cynicism, or does the 'corporate speak' tone of the first answer appear to be from someone who may have a vested interested?

[Richard1966]

I have signed up and am playing with it. Difficult to see the appeal until more join but i can see some potential.

[bibblebub]

Yes Playbill, a bit strange how TypewriterHeaven comes up with that sort of answer as their first posting.

[Ellipsis]

I think you're being a bit harsh. TH comes across as someone who works in the IT or marketing industry. "cognoscenti" is an ideal word to have on your techno-lingo-bingo card...

[bibblebub]

You could be right Ellipsis. Spammers tend to post using the same sort of language and it can make one cynical.

[Ellipsis]

Yep, if it was selling pills, porn, casino or warez I'd be suspicious. But the idea that Google is paying people to pump Google+ on AB is ... less likely ...