Google+ gets Ripples, What's Hot, photo editing

Google on Thursday brought out four new enhancements to its Google+ social networking service. The most ubiquitous is the the Creative Kit, which lets users edit photos on a basic level in Google+ itself. The initial choices include a handful of basic tools as well as effects filters and text overlays.

The new What's Hot feature is intended to help get a Twitter-like viral effect and will let users view the hottest new content on the social network. Similar to trends in Twitter, it often includes breaking news, though it can also include photos. What's Hot is available in the main stream, after users read their own posts in existing circles, and as a standalone stream.

The sharing of content has also been enhanced with Ripples, which is still in its experimental stage. All activity around a post, such as re-sharing, commenting and more, can be seen with a virtual representation of the activity from its beginning. As is the usual case with Google's other experimental services, Google is looking for user feedback on how to improve it.

Finally, Google revealed that Google Apps customers worldwide can use Google+, addressing a common complaint of workers who wanted access.

By Electronista Staff