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March 12, 2012

Google Updates Mobile Browser Version of Google+

By Beecher Tuttle, TMCnet Contributor

Google (News - Alert)+ users got a nice surprise on Monday when the mobile browser version of the social network received a minor facelift to improve usability.

The refresh will benefit anyone who accesses the service using a mobile browser – rather than an iOS or Android app – but should be particularly helpful for iPad-owning Google+ users. While available as an iPhone (News - Alert) app, Google has yet to build a Google+ application for the iPad, meaning owners have no choice but to access the social network from a Web browser.

On the surface, Google seems to have cleaned up the social network's user interface by making it look and act more reminiscent to iOS and Android (News - Alert) apps. Outside of visual enhancements, Google says that the update optimizes mobile navigation, adds one-click sharing options and improves overall speed.

In addition, Google said that the service is now available in more than 60 locales. "Now it is easier to find, enjoy, and share the content you care about in Bengali, Icelandic, Swahili and more!" Google Project Manager Tom Charytoniuk noted in a blog post.

Charytoniuk said that the updated site should be available to all Android, iOS, or Blackberry 7 device owners. Let's hope iPad owners like the refresh because a Google spokesperson told Gigaom's Janko Roettgers that the company has "no update" on the development of a tablet-friendly iOS app.

Not shockingly, the only two user comments on Charytoniuk's post concern the future of a Google+ iPad app – i.e. where is it?

In other Google news, the company recently announced an integration (yes, another one) with Google+ and Google Voice. From here forward, Voice users can organize their contacts based on the circles that they create in Google+. Users can fashion a customized greeting for each group of people in their lives and even send unfriendly contacts directly to voicemail.

"Circles give you more control over how you manage your callers; for example, calls from your 'Creepers' circle can be sent straight to Voicemail, only your 'College Buddies' circle will hear you rap your voicemail greeting, or you can set your 'Family' circle to only ring your mobile phone," a Google spokesperson said in a blog post.

Yet another step in Google's effort to help run every part of your life.




Edited by Carrie Schmelkin
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