Category Archives: Social Media

Google+ for Android adds rich web snippets and hashtags for streams

April 13, 2012 Udit Malhotra Leave a comment

Google+ for Android update adds support for rich web snippets and #hashtags. A big ask that users had for the earlier version of Google+ was to make the sharing experience for webpages as good as that of G+ for desktop with all the detailed info. The new version addresses this request and the feature actually works great. The update also brings in support for #hashtags, allowing in stream search capability for the most trending stuff. We won’t forget those minor bug fixes and performance improvements that roll out with each release to make the app better. Haven’t tried the app till date? The download link is right below!

Also Read : Google+ redesign adds simpler UI, bigger photos, easy hangouts and more

Screenshots

Download Google+ for Android Update from the Google Play Store

Scan the QR Code or click the image to begin download

via +Anish Acharya

Google+

Google+ redesign adds simpler UI, bigger photos, easy hangouts and more

April 12, 2012 Udit Malhotra Leave a comment

Google has introduced an all-new design for Google+ that involves a revamp for the navigation menu, photos and videos, activity feed and Google+ Hangouts. The rollover to the new UI showcases the excellent growth potential that Google+ has as a social network, which is getting even bigger with more users joining the pool of 170 million folks and counting.

The navigation bar moves from the top to the left, making the menu more useable with bigger icons and the option to reorganize, reorder or hide tabs that are not required. Design is one thing that decides the likeability and attraction of a user towards not only a social network, but also for any so called product.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zxbs5uqEjc0[/youtube]

Key additions to the navigation menu include:

Reorganize or reorder apps and tabs in any way
Hover apps to view quick actions that you can perform
Hide apps by dragging them in or out of the “more” icon

The Google+ redesign is centered towards people making the network more personal allowing one to use stuff with simplicity and their own set of preferences. Now experience bigger photos and videos for your activity feed without the need to enlarge it. Under the feed you would also see a new box to your right called the “Activity Drawer” that shows what’s trending on G+, something like the “Trending” column for Twitter users.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3Atj57r15U[/youtube]

For people who to love Hangout on a video chat get more options to experiment and have fun, a dedicated page for Google+ Hangouts in the navigation pane shows the Hangouts you can simply join in or watch an ongoing one. So for all you peeps who like to explore the world this one’s for you guys. The conversation scenario is now more creative not only from the means of a chat, but rather with options to collaborate, share, or play with the recent release of new third party apps for Google+ Hangouts. A pipeline feature that we await to arrive soon is “cards”, providing users with the ability to keep an eye on upcoming discussions and join them to cast their views. Seeing the ongoing change we’ve got lots of hopes from Google to make G+ grow at very fast pace.

Google+ profiles would get the upgrade to all new features in a few days. If your profile has already been upgraded, do checkout all the awesome stuff and do share your opinion on how did you find the new layout. To find an overview for the design rollover do check out this link.

via Google Official Blog

Facebook, Instagram

Facebook buys Instagram for $1 Billion

April 9, 2012 Udit Malhotra Leave a comment

Now we’ve some got some big news as Facebook acquires the famous mobile photo sharing platform Instagram for $1 Billion. The buzz was shared via Facebook Founder and CEO ‘Mark Zuckerberg’ on Monday by a post on his timeline. The company acquisition comprises of a mix of cash and Facebook Shares. It is one of the biggest achievements at Facebook’s end, as Instagram holds a strong threshold for both Apple iOS devices and the Android platform, with millions of users already a part of it.

“For years, we’ve focused on building the best experience for sharing photos with your friends and family. Now, we’ll be able to work even more closely with the Instagram team to also offer the best experiences for sharing beautiful mobile photos with people based on your interests.” – Mark Zuckerberg (Founder and CEO, Facebook)

Zuckerberg expressed his views on evolving Instagram as an individual application rather than integrating everything to Facebook. “These and many other features are important parts of the Instagram experience and we understand that. We will try to learn from Instagram’s experience to build similar features into our other products. At the same time, we will try to help Instagram continue to grow by using Facebook’s strong engineering team and infrastructure.”

The existing set of features to the app that include photo sharing on multiple social networks and the ability to build following while being able follow others would still be in place. It would not be constrained or restricted only towards a ‘Facebook Only Platform’.

The team at Facebook and Instagram would be working together to provide rich experience to its existing set of users, while building Instagram alike features for Facebook services and projects. Lets hope for the best and see what happens.

What are your views on this new acquisition? Please share your views by dropping by a comment.

via Facebook

Android Apps, Instagram, Social Media

Instagram for Android update adds supports for Tablets, SD card installation and more

April 7, 2012 Udit Malhotra Leave a comment

We’ve been talking about Instagram for Android for a while. Well yes, it is another update that has popped up from the development team at Instagram. The new version for the app brings a majority of changes, which adds support for Tablets and Wi-Fi only devices, installation of the app over an SD card, and fixes audio mute bug during an image capture. Application install over a memory card seems to be a very big change, most of lack on internal phone storage and might not like to add an app the consumes a lot of space, so with this update you guys can move your app to the SD card and continue enjoying it. The support for tablets and Wi-Fi only devices also brings in a wide spectrum by adding more news users to the Instagram kitty. For folks with an older Android device having Wi-Fi only capabilities can now enjoy photo sharing at ease. Last but not the least the update fixes a bug causing the sound to mute while clicking a photo and also several minor bug fixes and improvements.

Existing users may update the app via Google Play Store, for folks who haven’t tried or had an unsupported device can download it using the link below.

Download Instagram for Android Update 1.03 from the Google Play Store.

Scan the QR Code or click the image the begin the download.