New Google+ update: Focusing on people instead of tools

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2011 was the year Google decided to unleash its take on social networking, seeking to overthrow Facebook as the largest social networking platform. Known as Google Plus, G+, or Google+, the site has recently overthrown Twitter as the world’s second largest social networking platform, with over 343 million active users worldwide, which amounts to around 25 percent of global Internet users.

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Its recent update pushes a modern design, support for multiple devices, and a lot more. One reason why Google+ used a minimalistic approach, as opposed to what Facebook did with its user interface, is that it believes that technology is at its best when it gets out of the way, leaving tools, charts, complicated menus and options in the background, and letting users just focus on having fun, all while creating unique content that is fresh and exciting. Another problem that the update seems to fix is the need for a robust universal communication platform that will work across all devices and operating systems, mobile included. Google Hangouts combines the ease of universal messaging via the Web, photo sharing, and video calling in one sleek, modern package. SMS messaging is currently not supported, although that functionality will be added in future updates to the platform. The update also gives the power of Google to photos uploaded to the social networking site, giving people less time to worry about how their photos look and more time to make memories.

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One thing is for sure: With the new Google+ update, it is clear that Google isn’t content with its social media platform staying second to Facebook; it wants to be number one.

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Facebook Home: Is user privacy a concern?

With the announcement of Facebook Home for Android and the HTC First, HTC’s Facebook phone, people now have a chance to use the widely popular social networking site in a whole new way. They will be able to send messages to their friends and check their News Feed directly from their phone’s home screen without even opening the Facebook app.

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While the new Android launcher’s features may eventually win over avid Facebook users, tech experts, especially those who attended Facebook’s April 4 event in Menlo Park, California, think that Facebook Home is only a gimmick and that, knowing Facebook, there might be privacy problems that can crop up in the future, such as GPS location tracking services that passively and continuously run on the phone in order to send location-based advertising to users.

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However, that fear may be unfounded, as Mashable.com reports that Facebook has confirmed that Home will not be actively tracking users’ GPS location, even on the HTC First, where the launcher is built right into the phone’s operating system. Furthermore, data on the activities of other applications, such as Foursquare check-ins, will not be seen by Facebook. Still, location-based ads can and will be offered to users if they use Facebook to check-in to a location.

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Despite some privacy concerns, there are people who believe that Facebook Home is a powerful software that can potentially disrupt the telecom industry.

Socialtyze is John Bohan’s answer to branding and social media marketing issues. Visit its website for more information about its services.

The great equalizer: How social media brought back power to the people

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The advent of the Internet birthed a voice that gave unprecedented power to the people—a voice called social media.

A few years ago, the case differed. Companies and governments were untouchable, and the people had a lot to say but had no platform to express themselves easily or without legal repercussions. What little voice they had was quickly quashed and swept under, never to be heard again.

However, with the advent of the Internet, the people got back their voice in the form of social media, and even once-powerful corporations and governments are wary of this new power, as one wrong review or one bad press can instantly be read by billions of people, the precursor to potentially lost sales, revenue, and profit, or toppled governments.

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The best example would be the Arab Spring wherein oppressive governments in Egypt, Yemen, Tunisia, and Libya were toppled by a wave of demonstrations, protests, and uprisings sparked by the use of social media. Another example is that customers who purchased a faulty product and shunned by the company that made the product can now complain on Twitter or such online platforms, their effective and better chance at being heard.

Social media is quickly changing the information dissemination landscape and becoming the de facto way of how people communicate online. This is why Internet advertising experts, like John Bohan and Mateo Gutierrez, advise companies and governments to leverage social media for directly interacting with their customers and constituents, respectively.

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John Bohan heads Socialtyze, a firm that crafts smarter-media campaigns, manages thriving communities, and builds engaging applications. Visit its webpage to learn more.