Skip to main content

Week in Review - November 21, 2015: New Google+, Google Photos and more

This week the new Google+ launched, with a snappier interface, redesigned profiles and simplified features. The new Google+ is “focused around interests” with an emphasis on Collections and Communities. It’s still a work in progress, and you can opt in (and back out) on the web by simply clicking a link.

Where is everything?
  • Hangouts can be accessed at hangouts.google.com , in Gmail, and using the Chrome Hangouts app or extension.
  • Events are available in the Android Google+ app and the Classic G+ interface
  • Hangouts on Air can be scheduled starting from hangouts.google.com or YouTube Live Events, or by switching back to Classic G+
  • Links to Google+ Photos “highlights” and albums redirect to Google Photos, meaning you can only access your Blogger and Hangouts image albums in Picasa Web Albums.
There are more details below.

If you try the new Google+, be sure to send feedback to Google+ directly to let them know what you like, dislike and which features are essential to you.
  • How to send effective feedback to Google 
What else was new this week? Google Photos now lets you convert your "Original" images to "High Quality" images that don't count towards your storage limits. You can also easily remove already-backed-up photos from your phone. Folks without a Google account can join a Hangouts video call. YouTube introduced new translation tools. Plus more updates, tips and articles. 

Note some of the links are listed under more than one category below.

Mark your Calendar

  • Feature Friday contest: This week's #FeatureFriday contest is looking for Google+ Collections about Google products and services - I know a lot of you out there have Google-related Collections so submit yours! (Google+ Creators Community)
  • Event: Interested in the Google Top Contributor Program? Mark your calendar for December 3rd (Google Top Contributor Program)
  • Contest: Are you a teen artist? Or do you know any artistic students in grades K through 12? Check out the Doodle 4 Google contest (Deadline December 7)(Google)
  • Course:  Register for the “How to start making money on YouTube* Creator Academy Bootcamp (December 7-21) (YouTube Creators)

Google+

Google Photos

  • Update New Google Photos features on Android (John Elstone)
  • New! Google Photos helps you free up space on your phone - now you can easily delete device copies of your already-backed-up photos or get a warning when your storage is almost full (Google Photos)
  • New! Google Photos helps you clear up space in your Google account: convert your photos from Original to High Quality (Google Photos)
  • New! Get your photos on the map! Now you can share photos directly from Google Photos to Google Maps (Google Local Guides)

Google Small Business and Local

  • New! Review local businesses, upload photos, correct Google Maps - Google Local Guides can level up to get more storage! (Google Local Guides)
  • New! Get your photos on the map! Now you can share photos directly from Google Photos to Google Maps (Google Local Guides)
  • Tip: How to restore a deleted Google+ Page (and its YouTube channel) at Google My Business (G+ share of this post)

YouTube

  • New! YouTube Creators: enable the new Sponsored Cards format on your videos
  • Update YouTube listens: Subscription grid view is back! (YouTube)
  • New! YouTube's new translation tools help you connect with a global audience (YouTube Creators)
  • Update YouTube Kids app now available in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Canada (YouTube)
  • New! YouTube fights for fair use (Google Public Policy blog)
  • Course: Register for the “How to start making money on YouTube Creator Academy Bootcamp (December 7-21) (YouTube Creators)

Hangouts on Air and Live Broadcasting

  • New Google+: Hangouts on Air can be scheduled starting from hangouts.google.com or YouTube Live Events, or by switching back to Classic G+
  • Tip Promote your Hangout on Air or YouTube Live event across all your videos and on your channel (Video Creators)

Hangouts

  • New! Have guests join a Hangouts video call using a URL link, no Google account required (Google for Work)
  • New Google+: Hangouts can be accessed at hangouts.google.com , in Gmail, and using the Chrome Hangouts app or extension.
  • Tip Find your Hangouts image albums in Picasa Web Albums

Blogger and Webmasters

AdSense and Advertising

Nexus, Android, Project Fi

  • Update Android 6 Marshmallow rolling out to devices on Project Fi , plus Band 12 News
  • Update Nexus 6P is back in stock, just in time for holiday shopping :) (Nexus)
  • Tip Sticky FAQ about Bad USB Type-C Legacy cables (Benson Leung)
  • Tip Don’t buy the OnePlus USB Type C adaptor for your Nexus 6P/5X or Pixel (Benson Leung)

More Mobile


Updated March 2019 to remove Google+ links

Comments

Post a Comment

Spam and personal attacks are not allowed. Any comment may be removed at my own discretion ~ Peggy