Now that the doors have swung wide open for any and all to join Google+, the company is stepping up their mobile app features to make it easier for members to connect with each other. Matching an Android update last week, the iOS version now includes Hangouts and plenty of other changes -- but still no iPad love.
Google pushed out a new update to the iOS Google+ app over the weekend, bringing the version number to 1.0.4.2326. One of the most highly requested features sought by users of the service was to add the mobile Hangouts feature for video chatting with up to nine of your friends while on the go, and this update finally brings that long awaited ability to iOS.
The former Huddle feature (which has now been rechristened as “Messenger”) also gains the ability to send photos, along with “reliability improvements” which is always good to hear. Google+ users can now “+1” on comments from the iOS app as well as have granular control over their push notification settings.
Last but not least, the update brings a map view in profile for places you’ve lived, improved “+mention” support, the ability to share a post with individuals, improved public search for people and those all important “various bug and performance improvements” we all enjoy.
One feature that’s still missing from the Google+ app is universal support for the iPad. Sure, the app works on the iPad, but only in 2x zoomed mode which is hardly the ideal way to interact with your friends. But don’t feel bad -- Android users with Honeycomb tablets are also getting the cold shoulder from Google+, and there’s still no sign of that fabled Facebook tablet app, either. Why do these social networks continue to ignore the tablet market? Beats us.
Google+ version 1.0.3.2326 is now available free on the App Store, compatible with all devices running iOS 4.0 or later.
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