Google has launched an update to its Google+ app for iOS. No, it doesn’t come with Instant Uploads (the key feature missing from this version of the app, if you ask me).
What it does come with is iPod Touch and IPad support, though support must not mean the same thing to everybody, because this has been the subject of a fair amount of criticism as the update has made its way onto devices.
@mathewi
Mathew IngramI suppose it’s nice to have a Google+ app on the iPad, but it’s just the half-sized iPhone app, which is barely better than nothing
18 minutes ago via TweetDeck · powered by @socialditto
@LanceUlanoff
Lance UlanoffGoogle+ arrives on the iPad http://t.co/3jsHluv Me: A doubled resolution iPhone app is far from what I’d call arriving on the iPad 42 minutes ago via Tweet Button · powered by @socialditto
@barraford
BarrafordPure garbage, i tried. MT @LanceUlanoff: Google+ iPad app. Me: doubled resolution iPhone app is far from what I’d call arriving on the iPad 38 minutes ago via Osfoora HD · powered by @socialditto
@RonLibunao
Ron LibunaoGoogle Plus for iPad isn’t iPad optimized. Don’t they know an iPhone sized app on the iPad looks ugly? 1 hour ago via Twitter for Mac · powered by @socialditto
@beejaymorgan
beejaymorganGoogle+ update for iPhone today. I can finally see my stream without the app crashing! Hooray! 1 hour ago via HootSuite · powered by @socialditto
@moearora
Moe AroraGoogle+ iPhone app update. Hopefully this thing stops crashing worse than Mel Gibson on a bender. 1 hour ago via Tweetbot for iPhone · powered by @socialditto
@nickelf
Nick MooneyEpic Google+ fail. New iPhone app makes 2-step verification users completely unable to log in. 1 hour ago via txt · powered by @socialditto
What’s new in the latest version:
– Huddle settings
– Aggregated circle add notifications
– iPod touch & iPad support
– Performance and stability improvements
The lack of Instant Upload is a big deal for the service, because Android users connect to Google’s network every time they snap a photo with their phone, provided they’ve enabled the functionality. Google+ made Picasa cool again. That is at least on the Android platform.
That wasn’t the only complaint when Google first launched the iPhone app last month though. There were numerous complaints about the app freezing up and crashing. There was no way to share, and sometimes clicking a button would take users to the wrong place.
As I said prior to Google+‘s release for iOS, this market would be critical to win for the continued success of Googles social network. This kind of experience (especially coming from a company who can’t talk enough about user experience) isn’t exactly what I’d call winning.
