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We are big fans of Google+. A lot of you are as well. It’s a great place to have conversations about what’s new in the world of Android. The Google+ Android app is already fantastic, and it is getting a big update today.
Google+ for Android Tech Lead, Virgil Dobjanschi, announced this morning that the app will be updated to version 4.1. There are five major changes happening.
1. Account and page switching is a lot easier
Just like Gmail for Android, you can now switch between multiple Google+ accounts with a couple of taps (vs. signing out and signing in again). And the Google+ pages you manage are likewise in the app menu at all times.2. Google Apps for Business features are now fully supported
If your Apps administrator has enabled Google+, you can now share content publicly, with your circles, and/or with just the people in your organization. In addition: you’ll know at a glance whether someone’s profile is part of your Apps domain.3. Google Drive photos & videos are now accessible from Google+
If you’re storing photos or videos in Google Drive, you now have the option to view and share them from Google+ (on Android, and the web). Drive photos in particular will get enhanced and awesome’d automatically (see plus.google.com/photos/whatsnew).4. Location sharing includes more controls
Starting today you can share your pinpoint or city-level location with others (if you want), and you can do so on a circle-by-circle basis. For example: you can share your pinpoint location with family, and your city-level location with co-workers. You can also use circles to filter who appears on your “Locations” map.5. Messenger is going away, Hangouts is sticking around
Now that Hangouts provides messaging and video calls across Android, iOS and the web, we’re removing Messenger from the Google+ mobile apps (first on Android, then on iOS). Later today you’ll be able to download all of your Messenger conversations (including text and photos) from Google Takeout.
Switching between accounts that you manage is easier. Google Drive is right at your fingertips. Messenger is finally being phased out. The new Android app also includes pull-to-refresh functionality and other updates. Dobjanschi says “we’ll let you discover those on your own :-)”
The update will be rolling out to users over the next several days. Let us know when you get it!
