THREE political leaders David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband. One thing they all have in common is an account at Google Plus (http://plus.google.com/).
Launched back in June, Plus is Google’s answer to Facebook. But how has it come along since its summer launch?
Opinion is mixed. Some people love Google Plus because it does a lot of things that Facebook does but in a simpler way.
It also gives you more control over sharing by letting you divide your contacts into groups called Circles.
Although lots of people signed up from the start, Plus hasn’t grabbed the public’s attention in the same way as Facebook.
Recent headlines elsewhere have declared it dead already. That might be premature. This is because Google’s betting big on Plus, making it the central hub of all user accounts.
Clegg (goo.gl/OXYxp) and Miliband (goo.gl/e8HGr) are using it well, adding fairly frequent updates – or at least getting others to do it for them. Cameron’s lagging behind, with only one post in the whole of October and not a lot since (goo.gl/Gmw3k).
Facebook remains the biggest website on the planet so Google has a long way to go before Plus can claim that crown.
That’s why it’s pushing Plus hard. If you don’t have a Plus account you’re going to see more and more reminders from Google suggesting that you start clicking ‘+1’ on things (Google’s equivalent of Facebook’s ‘Like’ button).
Just like Facebook all of this is free and just like Facebook Google wants to gather more data about your habits and tastes. Both companies are in the business of selling adverts and it’s vital they know as much about you as possible to get the best return from your eyeballs.
FASTER SPOTIFY
You like Spotify, but wish searching it was a little bit faster? So does Andy Smith so he made a website to help. It’s called Spotify Instant (andysmith.co.uk/spotifyinstant) and at first there’s not much to see except a search box. Just type the name of a song, album or artist and you’ll see results appearing immediately. Tab to the one you want, hit return and Spotify plays it: Lovely.
COOL CHRISTMAS GIFTS
Turn your Twitter account into a custom tree decoration: www.frstee.com
Hack things better with Sugru: www.sugru.com
Turn photos into pressies at www.photobox.co.uk