Google Launches a Social Network: Google+

Google has just launched a social network to compete with Facebook based on the concept of Circles.

The idea is that instead of having a huge list of friends you can organize your social contacts into Circles. Perhaps you'd have a circle for your close friends, a circle for your acquaintances, a circle for your family, and so forth.


The Google+ Project lets you interacts with your circles in a variety of ways.

Sparks
Sparks delivers a feed of highly contagious content from across the Internet. On any topic you want, in over 40 languages. Simply add your interests, and you'll always have something to watch, read and share—with just the right circle of friends.


Hangouts
With Google+ we wanted to make on-screen gatherings fun, fluid and serendipitous, so we created Hangouts. By combining the casual meetup with live multi-person video, Hangouts lets you stop by when you're free, and spend time with your Circles. Face-to-face-to-face.


Mobile
Location: With Google+ you can add your location to every post. (Or not. It's always up to you.)




Instant Upload: While you're snapping pictures, and with your permission, Google+ adds your photos to a private album in the cloud. This way they're always available across your devices—ready to share as you see fit.

Huddle: Google+ includes Huddle, a group messaging experience that lets everyone inside the circle know what's going on, right this second.


Google+ is available now on Android Market and the mobile web, and it's coming soon to the App Store. Check your Gmail for an invite to join the project.