Google tried, tried and tried but could not make its presence as big as Facebook over last several years. First it was Google Buzz, then it became Google+ (plus) which finally gained somewhat recognition and presence in the Social Media arena, but there was a lot still left to yearn for. Not to forget the recent ‘Privacy Policy’ change saga that has put Google into hot waters, but that is a story for another time.

About 4 hours ago, 0800 MST Google, revealed the massive ‘Face lift’ to Google+, its Social Media answer to Facebook community. This comes within a few week of Facebook making a mandatory shift for all its users to its new and notorious ‘Timeline’ interface. Interestingly Google’s answer to Google+ interface has the ‘Timeline’ feel as well however it is only a better and smarter version.

It is structured smartly for users to be able to customize things to their liking by a simple drag and drop. On top is the Cover picture header and a profile photo much like the Facebook but the header users can either have one big photo banner or a scrap book of 5 photos next to each other.

On your left is the Navigation bar that uses ‘Drag-and-drop’ feature so you can customize which icons/features you want where. For example we changed our buttons in order of Profile, Circles and Photos but you can have photos after profile and then hangout followed by Circles, all just by a drag-and-drop movement. It is also to be noted that Google+ privacy control are smarter than Facebook and easier to manage.

Then comes the Google+ Stream, as Google prefers to call its ‘Timeline’, true to its name is one Single Column stream as opposed to Facebook’s Two Column and flows smoothly. In Facebook users are left wondering where there posts will be situated after a few posts as the steam seems to have a mind of its own. Google+ steers clear of any such confusion by keeping the stream interface single columned.

Further, if you click Explore button on the Navigation bar, you can adjust how much is shown in your stream from a certain section of Google+ such as ‘What’s Hot’ feature. And you can adjust that by just sliding the bar from left to right, something Facebook had a long time ago until it got more and more complicated. Google+ has managed to keep things simple, user friendly and yet appealing.

Google + Switch to Page

Managing and switching between pages and user accounts is quite easy in the new interface. All you have to do is click on Pages (by default hidden behind more button but can be dragged up to be visible individually) and you are there. Your various circles stream are up on the top below the Cover Photo, so all you need to do is click ‘All’ or one of your circle names and the messages from only that particular stream will be shown. Another click to a different circle stream and you are there.

We did note initial glitch that on wider screen monitors the stream showed on left and there was equal size of screen left with a big blank white space that looked odd but a simple plugin called GExtend from the Google Play Store™ can be downloaded onto your Chrome browser and it stretches things out to normal. There is still a little left to be desired in terms of interface for wider computers but since it is only the revelation of the new look, we are sure improvements will not be too far.

Our first use rating is after aggregating scores by 3 panelists is - 

Ease of Use 4/5

Navigation 4/5

Customization 4.5/5

Overall Interface 4/5

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