Google+ UI refresh coming soon to Android with new "surprises," seen already on iPhone

Google+ UI refresh coming soon to Android with new “surprises,” seen already on iPhone

May 9, 2012 | by Andrew Kameka

Google+ has undergone several changes since the dap debuted last year, and another one is in the pipeline. Google SVP of Engineering Vic Gundotra announced today that there would be design changes to the Google+ Mobile app coming soon. There’s no word on an exact date when those changes will be, but you can get an early idea based on the iPhone upgrade that just went live.

Yes, the iPhone app got the update first, but Google+ members can “expect this to show up on Android in the next few weeks (with a few additional surprises),” Gundotra wrote on his G+ page. A blog post containing screenshots and a description of the changes showcase what users can expect.

I’m not sure if Gundotra meant that all of these design changes would come to Android, but I’d bet my next to last paycheck that he means these new features will arrive but with tweaks closer to Android design conventions. So don’t take these pics to be exact representations of what’s coming, but more of a look at the major changes in the following areas:

Larger profiles and crisper fonts for text
Light gradients and overlays
Stream posts load faster and appear as you scroll
Easier +1 and other response options
Faster access to captions and comments on shared photos
Redesigned profile page

As for the surprises, anyone’s guess is as good as mine. My last paycheck is on the app finally gaining proper tablet support. Google+ was built on the Android Holo UI conventions, but it hasn’t done anything to take advantage of the large screen sizes of tablets. My guess is that Gundotra and company will surprise us with a tablet view built into the Google+ version sent to arrive in a few weeks.

Google, Google apps, Google Plus, Lifestyle, social, social network, social networking

6 Comments

S.Norcross said: On May 9, 2012

Why would the iPhone get the UI overhaul Google+ update before android? This doesn’t make any sense at all.

- Bart said: On May 10, 2012
  
  Remember, for the iPhone the developers only have to code for a single phone and form factor. Android has a lot more variety and form factors so it is more complicated to make an app that works for every different type of Android phone out there. It just takes a little longer, be patient.
  
  - Michael said: On May 13, 2012
    
    Be patient? Screw you! It is absolutely inexcusable that Google would release ANYTHING for the iphone first! Yes, it’s easier to code for the iphone, so THEIR update shouldn’t take long after the Android version is released. Iphone users should “be patient”.
    
Marty said: On May 9, 2012

Why is everyone set on making UI fonts HARDER to read? While it might be a nice looking font, it’s too light and difficult to see. Sigh

Michael said: On May 13, 2012

Un-fucking-believable! Screw you Google! My next phone will be an i phone. Never thought I’d say it, but if you can’t beat’em, join ‘em. I have sat thru all the growth pains of the Android platform (and there have been many). I’ve had to deal with being repeatedly abandoned by my carrier as newer and shinier phones came out every couple of months and mine was forgotten. I’ve deal with poor data connectivity issue that never get resolved. All the while defending Android. But to have even GOOGLE treat the platform like the red-haired stepchild…it’s time to go. FU Google!

- Tsepz said: On May 15, 2012
  
  Interesting story,okay then, Ciao

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