More about Google+

Google’s entry into social networking, Google+ is now open for anyone to join. Google+ builds in the idea of circles, not just allowing, but requiring, users to assign their contacts to one of a number of user-defined circles. Each circle will have a different level of sharing.

Another of the cool features in Google+ is the “Hangout.” Hangouts make watching web video a social experience. For example, Google+ users can now click the share button from any YouTube video and suggest to a group of friends that they watch it together as a group. Google is also touting the fact that it will use its core expertise in search to make social search more effective than ever.

The Facebook vs. Google+ battle should be fun to watch. Facebook has a big lead and has made some strong moves in overhauling its look and introducing Timelines. But many people are getting nervous about the level of sharing that Facebook is promoting and what the long-term effects may be on privacy. Does this make Facebook more vulnerable to a strong move from a big competitor like Google, or will Facebook users simply shrug and continue to share even more about themselves?