Google+ for Android Updates with Reshare and Bug Fixes

In addition, Google+ 1.0.6 addresses several bugs that plagued previous versions of the Android application.
One of the most important new features added with the latest update is called Reshare and allows users to reshare posts of people from their 'circles.'

According to Google, the Reshare feature was one of the most requested features and it was introduced based on users' feedback.
Currently, the Reshare feature is only available for Android users, but Google confirmed that iOS and the Web apps will also receive it in the near future:
“... don’t worry, iOS and web app folks, reshare is coming soon for you too!”

Furthermore, Google added support for 38 languages, which makes the application available in more regions where the English language is not that popular.
Other changes added with Google+ 1.0.6 include the following:
- Incremental improvements to notification reliability;
- Clearer Instant Upload options in the initial setup dialog;
- Performance fixes and minor UI tweaks;
- Ability to create a new circle from the “Circles” destination.
However, improvements and new features is not everything that has been added, as Google also fixed several issues that have been reported by users:
- Eliminate Instant Upload duplicates on HTC models;
- Fixed “No name” issue in Huddle;
- Hidden 1:1 Huddles now reappear when new messages are sent;
- Fixed issue with notifications count changing when switching from portrait to landscape.

Although Google+ is still a work in progress and is constantly being developed with new features and fixes, it looks like the search giant is doing a great job so far.
Google+ v1.0.6 for Android is now available as a free download from Android Market and is compatible with all smartphones running Android 2.1 or newer.

 

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Developers say Google+ can catch up to Facebook in social

IDC's quarterly survey of mobile developers couldn't have come at a better time for Google, soon after its Plus service opened on an invite-only beta basis. Developers -- 2,012 surveyed from July 20-22 -- are enthusiastic about Google+. "Two-thirds of respondents believe that Google can catch up to Facebook in social with Google+", according to the report.

"This will be a powerful asset for Google in gaining mindshare among consumers and developers as it competes with Apple, whose iOS tie-in to Twitter and social network Ping have not been as impactful as Google+", according to IDC.

Whether or not what developers believe will pan out or not is to be seen for sure, but their confidence in G+ means lots. Facebook's big growth spurt started after it began accepting applications. Surely Google sees G+ as a future applications platform.

Eighty-three percent of developer respondents said they would use Facebook social APIs during the next 12 months. "Google+ is nearly tied with Twitter, so developer preferences in this area will be very interesting to watch as Google's developer launch nears". Seventy-three percent of developers plan to use Facebook social APIs during the next 12 months -- 72 percent for Google+. The service isn't even officially open yet, so the potential implications are staggering. IDC's next quarterly report should indicate how much or how little, if the analyst firm continues to ask about Google+. The question: Is enthusiasm during the launch stage sustainable? That depends much on how quickly Google innovates and whether or not developers and other users tire of the service.

I'm not surprised by developers' reasons for Google+ advantages."When asked why, 68 percent of developers say that leveraging Google's assets (e.g., Search, YouTube, Maps, etc) trumps Facebook's social graph lead", the report explains. "Forty-nine percent say that Google shows more innovation than Facebook with new Google+ features like circles, sparks, hangouts, etc." Additionally, 40 percent said that "Google will be able to bake in Google+ into Android". Right now, Google is activating 550,000 Android devices per day. During second quarter. Android smartphone market share reached 48 percent, according to Strategy Analytics.

In my late June post "Is Google+ social done right?" I gave similar reasons as IDC's survey respondents: "Search and + tied to Google search and Android phones give Google the potential to amass a social community extended to its other products and services: Apps (for creating and sharing documents); Chrome (for which new version releases every couple months); Gmail for messaging anywhere (rather than the confines of Facebook's website); Wallet for making purchases; Web Apps (for playing games and other fun stuff); among many others".

This is my second story from the report. The other: "Developer interest in Android increases, approaches iOS". There are five, separate and insightful key findings I see in the report. I may write on another in a few days.

source: betanews

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