The TechCrunch Disrupt NY 2013 event is generally focused on startup companies pitching their ideas to venture capitalists, but Google took some time in between chats this week to announce a couple of new features that will be heading to Google+ sign-in and its search engine.
Google+ Director of Product Management Seth Sternbeg took the stage and the first item he detailed was how the social network will be making it easier to sign into Web and mobile apps. The idea was demonstrated with OpenTable, and the feature will allow users to use their Google+ account to essentially import their profiles and information without needing to create new usernames and whatnot.
This feature is expected to roll out this week, and will be launching with app support from OpenTable, Flixster, The Guardian, USA Today, Shazam, Banjo, Beautylish, Fancy, Fitbit and TuneIn Radio.
The second feature was more closely related to Google Search, but it still incorporates Google+ activity.
Dubbed "App Activities," this information will be displayed when users take advantage of Google Search. Searching for "SoundCloud," for example, currently brings up the app logo and a link to recent posts, all on the right-hand side of the page.
As Google rolls out its new features, though, it will display what users interested in SoundCloud are searching for. What's popular in SoundCloud? What are those users checking out or listening to? Clicking the links will take you to the specific areas embedded in the service, give you some insight into what your fellow users are interested in, and potentially lead you to interesting new content.
Another launch partner is Fandango, and today searching for the service only displays the number of followers it has on Google+. Going forward, though, the new features will relay the top movies consumed by Google+ users. Clicking a movie would take you directly into the film's page on Fandango.
In addition to Fandango and SoundCloud, early launch partners will be Songza, Deezer, Flixster, Slacker Radio and TuneIn.
According to Sternberg, the company is trying to take an individual's Google+ experience and expand it across the Internet, and vice versa: "We want to make it really easy to discover what other people are doing on the Internet when they do a search with Google."
