Google Product Manager Sara McKinley announced on Wednesday, March 6 that Google+ will launch a new update as "per your request."
McKinley notes there have been some "profile & page improvements."
Explaining that Google spends a great deal of time listening to user feedback, McKinley lists the following new Google+ features:
- A new tab for your Local reviews. In addition to your photos, +1's and YouTube videos, there's now a place for all your Local reviews. Highlight your favorite restaurants, or hide the tab completely via settings — it's completely up to you.
- An easier way to edit your info. The 'About' tab now consists of separate cards (like Story, Places, and Links) -- each with its own prominent edit link. As always: you can share specific fields with specific circles, or keep them just for you.
- Bigger cover photos, with a better aspect ratio. Cover photos are much larger than before (up to 2120px by 1192px), and they display in 16x9 when fully expanded. This way more images can be used as cover photos, and there's more room for your selection to shine.
Computer World UK's analysis of the Google+ update points to the "Local review" feature as a testament to Google and other social networks like Facebook "focusing on local interests."
What do the commenters say about the update news?
"Awesome, I love the larger cover photo that you've included. And finally more movement with local reviews/zagat. Can't wait to see the final roll-out of your improvements. Keep up the hard work I know how hard it would be satisfying an entire social network," Justin Fournier says.
Fournier's not alone in his praise for the new Google+ features, as the vast majority of commenters — even internationally — agree.
"Cooool! Quero logo essa atualização!!," Diego Neves says.
"Very nice. It also seems to be moving towards a design that would accommodate the logical ordering of posts by theme or topic, which would be a game changer," Rob Ferguson posts in solidarity with the others.
Then there is that small voice of dissent, however, that always tends to crop up with any upgrade or update:
"Do people really want a cover photo that takes up half the screen? No thanks. Waste of space," Charles Carrigan posts.
The features (aka "everything") are rolling out "gradually," concludes McKinley, who reminds readers to check back on the update soon "if you don't see it yet."
Once you've checked out the Google+ update, let iTechPost know what you think in the comments below!
Like what you're reading? Follow @profklickberg.
