Opening Google today you see a large blue arrow appear which indicates a point at the top left and invites you to click on + You, a new button in the black menu bar and under the search box it says " Google+ is open to all, sign up . " Google+ is Google's new social network, launched about three months ago by invitation only, similar to Facebook for communication and the exchange of thoughts, photos and links with real and virtual friends, to which you can freely register from today.
Google+ is not an alternative to Facebook but a service to be used in parallel because it offers different functionalities and with a perhaps more powerful technological system that should satisfy both those who work with the internet and those who surf the web for fun.
As I had already written in the first introductory post on how to access Google Plus, to register you must register a Google account, if you do not already have one (who has a Gmail email address can enter directly with that), using any existing Email address .
When registering, you can choose whether to activate the web history of searches and sites visited, or the service to create a history and track online, in private, of all the sites searched and clicked when you are logged in to the account.
After also writing the date of birth (mandatory) and accepting the conditions, you must first verify your email address and then you must also confirm your identity by entering the phone number.
Just like Facebook does, to avoid creating fake profiles and fake identities, Google+ requires telephone verification by receiving an SMS or an automatic call (to which you only have to answer without speaking).
This request must not frighten, the number remains private and is not shared with anyone, it also allows you to activate numerous other services such as, for example, receiving free SMS for reminders from Google Calendar.
After the initial registration of the profile, you must read the preliminary guide to get started with Google+: create the profile, circles of friends and privacy so as to immediately get to the heart without getting lost.
You can share videos, photos, images, links, publicly or privately, without space limitations and, if you wish, keeping complete privacy of what you publish.
The main novelties, of the Google social network, launched after its first appearance in the invitation phase are mainly three:
1) The further improvement of the HAngouts or video chats, now possible also via Android smartphones that have the front camera.
2) Search in Google+ .
3) Online games .
Video chats are the real power and added value of Google+, what no other site has, not even Facebook.
It is in fact a completely free and free video conferencing and group video chat service .
Not only therefore a video call like that of Skype (the videochat is also on Facebook but it is limited) but just a professional platform where you can meet, talk and see multiple people simultaneously via webcam .
Google+ Hangouts are perfect for fun, social relationships with distant people and especially for work and for talking to people of common interests.
The Google Blog also reports that the hangout will soon also allow you to: Share the computer screen, Draw freehand on a blackboard shared among the participants, write and collaborate in the drafting of a Word document (thanks to the integration with Google Docs) and create public hangouts for a topic that all interested Google+ users can join.
I believe that the Hangout with Google+ will soon be a platform similar to Justin TV to watch live TV events with friends.
Searching in Google+ allows you to search for new friends to add in circles by name, to search for posts from people you follow or your own and to search for posts shared by others, publicly.
Searches can also be saved so that updates on a word or topic can be followed (the cues function suggests news but it is still unclear how).
Google's online games (last button on the bar at the top) are similar to those of Facebook and have some exclusivity such as, for example, AngryBirds online, with which to play without downloading anything, publishing the scores and trying to beat friends in the ranking.
Finally, all web pages and stories can be "appreciated" with the +1 button that can be seen below or on the right, to add a link to the +1 tab of the Google Plus profile and, if you wish, to share the link on the Google+ wall and show it to friends (ps +1 +1 to Navigaweb ...)
The social network field therefore has a new competitor and, in an internet world dominated by monopoly giants, it is an excellent thing.
Just look at the big improvements that, not surprisingly, Facebook is having these days, also inspired by Google+ (see the "get updates" button to follow non-friends.
Personally, I recommend signing up for Google Plus immediately and without delay, not to replace Facebook but to have a different communication channel, usable on different occasions (such as in hangouts), and above all, a fundamentally professional thing, to create your own online profile, such as were a web identity card, which will be given great visibility in the Google search engine.
If you want to add me to your circles, on Google Plus I am Claudio Pomhey
Below, the promotional video
UPDATE 16.5.13: Google+ changes and becomes the best site to upload photos
