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Google has announced a host of changes across its various online services. The tweaks were made public during the sixth annual Google I/O developers’ conference in San Francisco.
The company mostly focused on its Web services such as Maps, Search, Google+ and the Android Play Store.
Getting social
The social networking site Google+ is yet to become popular despite a super-hyped launch about two years ago. To make it more interactive, the company has revamped it in a way that emphasises its visual appeal. Google+ will automatically back up pictures snapped with a smartphone. To ensure enough storage space, the social networking site will also offer up to 15 GB of storage for every account.
The interface on the new Google+ still looks like a bit of a mash-up between Facebook and Twitter, with suggestions for new people to follow, and intermittent status updates from those in your Google circle.
However, you can also view trending topics, track your previous video calls or hangouts (only for private viewing) and share your albums directly from the page. Google+ now has a permanent Google search bar on top which automatically disappears when you scroll down the page.
More direction
The company has planned a huge makeover for Google Maps. The popular service is going to get more interactive. The layout is going to be full-screen-sized. You can search for a place by its name or a generic term like “coffee shop” and Maps will show you all your options nearby along with ratings and reviews from other users.
You can save your Home or Work location so it’s easier for you to calculate distances and estimated time of travel between places. Google’s Street View will have its own position below the new Maps, so you can see photos of the place and its vicinity before you even get there.
While it will be some time before the new Google Maps is made public, you can sign up for an early invite on the Web site now.
Future Updates
Services such as the Google Play Music All Access, a monthly music subscription service, are yet to be made available to the Indian audience. The service lets users access millions of songs in Google’s music store. Google Play will also feature new gaming services with real-time multiplayer options and live updates on the leader boards. Updates for the popular Web browser Chrome are also yet to be unveiled.
mahananda.bohidar@thehindu.co.in
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