Viewing Your Stream and Creating Posts in the Google+ App
The Stream is where you’ll spend most of your time in the Google+ app. To access it, tap Stream. This displays all the recent posts from the All Circles section of the Stream by default (as shown in Figure 13-13).
FIGURE 13-13 The Stream in the Google+ app.
Swiping up and down enables you to view the recent posts in the Stream, while swiping left and right enables you to view other Streams, including Incoming and Nearby (posts from all Google+ users in the same vicinity as you).
Creating a post
You can create a post in the Google+ app by following these steps:
1. Tap Create post icon in the top-right of the screen.
2. Tap the + icon to add and remove Circles that you want the post to be shared with (on the iOS version tap the O button).
3. Type your message using the keyboard (as shown in Figure 13-14). It appears in the Type to compose text box (Share your thoughts on the iOS version).
FIGURE 13-14 Creating a new post.
4. By default your current location is shared. Tap the location to choose from a list of nearby locations or tap Hide location to remove the location information. Tap the X button next to the name of your location on the iOS version.
5. Tap the post (paper plane) icon to share the post (or tap Post on the iOS version).
You can attach a photo to the post using the camera and photo icons. To take a photo using the phone’s built-in camera, follow these steps:
1. When creating a post, tap the camera icon.
2. Line up your shot and tap the shutter button (as shown in Figure 13-15).
FIGURE 13-15 Adding a photo to a post.
3. If you’re happy with the result, tap OK (Done on some phones, and Use on iOS devices). Otherwise tap Retake to shoot again.
The image appears as a small icon below the text for the post and is shared on your Stream. If you have Instant Upload switched on, it is automatically sent to your Google+ albums.
You can also share images already in your Google+ photo library by tapping the photo icon, tapping the images you want to include with the post, and tapping Share.
Commenting and sharing posts
When you tap a post, it opens the main window so you can read all the text and view any associated images (as shown in Figure 13-16). All the comments appear below the post and you can add one using the Enter a comment box.
FIGURE 13-16 Viewing a post.
Two icons in the top-right of the screen on an Android phone enable you to +1 or share a post. A Comment box at the bottom of the display enables you to enter a comment. On an iOS device, only the +1 icon appears at the top, but tapping the arrow icon to the right of the Comment box brings up an option to share the post (as well as Mute this post and Report this post).
Follow these steps to share a post:
1. Tap Share.
2. Tap + next to Your Circles and use the check boxes in the Circles list to select and deselect Circles.
3. Enter a message in the Type to compose field.
4. Tap the post (paper plane) icon in the top-right of the display.
If the post was originally shared with a limited group of Circles, a warning message appears (as shown in Figure 13-17). If you are happy to share the post with a wider audience, click OK.
FIGURE 13-17 Sharing a limited post.
Can I View Circles Other Than the Default Three? Yes. When you are in the Stream on an Android device, press the Menu button and then tap Select circles. You can add more Streams using the check boxes for the list of all your Circles. On an iOS device, tap the settings (gear) icon on the home page and then tap Choose stream views to display the Circles used in the Stream.