Lesson 14. Using Google+ Mobile

In this lesson, you learn how to keep up with Google+ using your mobile phone.

Exploring Google+ Mobile

Google+ Mobile enables you to view selected Google+ data and perform selected Google+ tasks on your mobile phone. Google+ offers four free mobile options:

• Google+ Android app, for Android 2.2+ users

• Google+ iPhone app, for iPhone and iPod Touch iOS 4+ users

• Google+ Mobile web app, for Android 1.5+ users or iPhone and iPod Touch iOS3+ users

• Google+ Mobile basic web app, for Blackberry 6.0+, Nokia/Symbian, and Windows Mobile users

The available mobile features vary based on which app you use.

Although Google+ Mobile offers much of the same functionality as the web-based version of Google+, it also offers some unique features, such as

• Messenger. Participate in hangouts or group texting, either one-on-one or with the people in one of your Google+ circles. You can invite others or receive a notification on your status bar when someone invites you. With Messenger, you maintain control over who can contact you: anyone on Google+, only people in your circles, or only people in your extended circles. This feature is currently available only for the Google+ Android app and Google+ iPhone app.

• Instant Upload. Upload photos and videos automatically from your phone to a private Google+ album. You can later make any photos or videos public if you choose to share them. This feature is currently available only for the Google+ Android and iPhone apps. See Lesson 10, “Working with Photos,” for more information about Instant Upload.

• Check-ins. Check into places you visit and view posts from people who are nearby. You must give Google+ permission to share your location to use this feature. Google+ Check-ins is available for the Android app, iPhone app, and Mobile web app.

For detailed instructions on how to use the specific features available for your phone, go to http://support-google.com/plus/?hl=en and click the Mobile link.

Using the Google+ Android App

Google+ offers a mobile app for Android users that’s available on Google Play at http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.plus. This app requires Android 2.2 and later. Figure 14.1 shows the Google+ Android home screen.

Figure 14.1. Get mobile access to Google+ from your Android phone.

The Google+ Android app is a full-featured application that enables you to perform a variety of tasks on your mobile phone. For example, you can

• Participate in a group conversation or share photos with Messenger

• Start a hangout from Messenger or join an existing hangout

• Instantly upload photos to Google+

• View and share content on your stream

• View profiles

• Create and manage circles

• Enter and manage comments

• Post and delete photos

• View and manage notifications

• Check into places (if you choose to share your location)

• View your nearby stream, which displays posts from people who are near you (if you choose to share your location)

Using the Google+ iPhone App

Google+ offers a mobile app for iPhone and iPod Touch users that’s available on the iTunes App Store at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/google/id447119634?ls=1&mt=8. This app requires iOS 4 and later. Figure 14.2 shows a sample post with comments on the iPhone.

Figure 14.2. Post and comment on Google+ even when you’re on the go.

Using the Google+ iPhone app, you can do the following:

• Participate in a group conversation or share photos with Messenger

• Start a hangout from Messenger or join an existing hangout

• Instantly upload photos to Google+

• View and share content on your stream

• View profiles

• Create and manage circles

• Enter and manage comments

• Post and delete photos

• View and manage notifications

• Check into places (if you choose to share your location)

• View your nearby stream, which displays posts from people who are near you (if you choose to share your location)

Using the Google+ Mobile Web App

The Google+ Mobile web app offers limited mobile functionality for Android 1.5+ users or iPhone and iPod Touch iOS3+ users.

To access the Google+ mobile web app, go to http://google.com/+ on your supported mobile device. Using the web app, you can do the following:

• View and share content on your stream

• View profiles

• Create and manage circles

• Enter and manage comments

• Check into places (if you choose to share your location)

• View your nearby stream, which displays posts from people who are near you (if you choose to share your location)

Using the Google+ Mobile Basic Web App

The Google+ Mobile basic web app offers limited mobile functionality for Blackberry 6.0+, Nokia/Symbian, and Windows Mobile users.

To access the basic web app, go to http://google.com/+ on your supported mobile device. Using the basic web app, you can view and share content on your stream. If you choose to share your location, you can also view your nearby stream, which displays posts from people who are near you.

Summary

In this lesson, you learned how to access Google+ from your mobile phone and download device-specific mobile apps for the Android, iPhone, and iPod Touch, as well as for Blackberry, Nokia/Symbian, and Windows Mobile users.