Peggy K's Creator News

On Monday Google announced that Google+ was heading in a new direction . +Bradley Horowitz - Google's head of Photos and Streams - explained that Google+ would focus on an interest-based social experience on Google+ itself and a Google+ Profile identity would no longer be necessary across Google products. The first big post-announcement change:  the separation of YouTube comments from Google+. It's a major change of direction for Google, and I think it was a good decision. I think this is a positive change for both Google+ and YouTube, as well as other Google products. A Gradual Change The separation of Google products from Google+ has actually been going on for some time now.  Just over a year ago I posted an overview of what Google products required a Google+ Profile . Since then, I've had to update it many times: October 2014: Google Hangouts extension and apps no longer require a Google+ Profile March 2015: Google Hangouts chat photo sharing and group vid...

This week Google+ announced that Google+ Photos will be retired on July 29th. Easing the transition a bit, the Android Google Photos app was updated with better album management options. On the desktop you can find your photos in Google Photos and Picasa Web Albums. Google Maps also got a neat new Timeline feature that lets you rediscover your travels and photos.  And the YouTube Android app was updated with new features and navigation. Earth Photo: NASA Captures "Epic" Earth Image

This week there are out-of-this world tips for YouTube creators, Photographers, Google+ Collectors and more. Image: New Horizons Space Craft Displays Pluto's Big Heart

This week was all about communication: there were updates to Google Messenger, Hangouts on desktop and the YouTube Live Event interface. YouTube launched Channel Cards, making it easier to give another channel a shout-out. Gmail improved their spam filters and launched Postmaster Tools for businesses. And it also got easier to review Local business on mobile devices. All that, plus tips for Google+, Blogger, Google Photos and more.

Every Saturday I post a round-up of the last week's updates, tips, and articles , with a focus on YouTube and other video platforms, blogging, and social media, plus updates to Google's communication and work tools. The emphasis is on new features, new policies, and tutorials for creators, from writers to video makers. If you want be sure you don't miss a post, there are multiple ways to subscribe: Add the blog RSS feed or Weekly Update RSS feed to Feedly or other feed reader. Subscribe to my Weekly Newsletter by email Click here or enter your email below:        View all the Weekly Update posts    Want to chat about the week's top updates? Join me live on Sundays.   Watch previous episodes. You can also subscribe to get all my articles and tutorials . Updated December 2024

Have a happy holiday, whether you celebrate the 4th of July or are simply enjoying a summer weekend! Use these tips to capture great photos and video of the evening's festivities and fireworks. What's new? Google+ was launched four years ago this week, Hangouts v.4 for iOS rolled out, Blogger introduced new widget tags for template designers, and YouTube told us about 10 features coming soon for Creators. Plus there are tips for video production, Hangouts on Air, Google+, AdSense and more. Fireworks image: Fireworks explode over the waters of the San Diego Bay on July 4, 2004 (army.mil, Public Domain)