Google+ is quickly gaining momentum
as the next social networking
powerhouse. One reason for that is the superiority of the Google+ Android app
over the Facebook app. And now that Google has released a major update to the
Google+ mobile version, even more users might consider flocking to the
latest hip place to hang out.

The recent Google+ update super
charges your photos. Now, with even more viewing and editing options, Google+
may well be the best integrated photo
tool of any mobile social app. With this app, you can better manage/share the
photos that you and/or your company want to highlight within your Google+ circles
and communities.

Let’s dig into the new Google+ mobile app and
see what it has to offer.

Multi-device edits

Editing photos on-the-go is always
a risky venture. Mobile offerings simply don’t have the power a full-blown
desktop client offers. But when you want something quick and simple, the
mobile solution shines. Such is the case with Google+ Photos. In fact, the latest iteration of Google+ Photos even offers non-destructive editing across your Android devices. You can start editing a photo on
your smartphone and then finish it on your tablet or desktop. And because the
edits are non-destructive, you can start editing on one device and even revert
to the untouched photo on your desktop or other Android device.

Possible edits include:

  • Enhance
  • Crop
  • Rotate
  • Add filter
  • Add frame

The filters include:

  • Warm
  • Cross (lighting)
  • Black and White
  • Cool
  • Contrast
  • Retrolux
  • Drama

Each of the filters allows you to
adjust the settings with a single finger movement. Watch the video below for a demonstration:

Once you’ve completed your edits,
save the photo, and it will be available to you from within your Google+ account
— regardless of what device you use. You can open that photo and remove the edits, pick up
where you left off, and more.

Viewing photos

The new Google+ makes it very easy
for you to view photos by:

  • Camera
  • Folders
  • Highlights

To get to the Folder view, swipe to
the Camera tab and tap Folders (Figure A).

Figure A

 

 

Google+ on a Verizon-branded HTC
One Max.

The best way to view your photos is
from Highlights, which arranges your photos by date (Figure B).

Figure B

Google+ arranges your photos by date.

If you tap a date, it will open the
entire collection of photos from that date. You can also easily share an entire
dates photos by tapping the Share button associated with that date.

Google+ is making it incredibly
easy to manage your (or your companies) photostream. With incredibly easy
editing tools and non-destructive editing (across devices), it doesn’t get much
easier.

Have you migrated your social
platform to Google+? If not, would the addition of tools like Google+ Photos
help persuade you to do so — or is there another feature still missing? Share your
thoughts with your fellow TechRepublic community in the discussion thread below.