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Chromecast's custom backgrounds are finally here
Google initially promised a summer release for Backdrops at I/O, but once we passed the autumn solstice it was anyone's guess when the Chromecast feature would arrive. But hey, it's rolling out now and that's what matters, right? To use your own G+ photos, those from the Google Cultural Institute, New York Times and more as new idle screens for the HDMI dongle it sounds pretty simple. Jump into the Chromecast app on your mobile device and futz around with the Backdrop settings to choose which sources you'd like for the photos. Boom; that's apparently it, according to the outfit. If something pops onscreen that you're interested in (maybe a satellite image of an island you'd never seen before) and you want more info, just ask "Okay Google, what's on my Chromecast?" into the Google app on your device. Pretty handy if you ask us. Just think: now you can use the biggest screen in the house to get people to finally check out your collection of Auto Awesome shots.
Google+ is the latest Android app to get a Material Design makeover
Google's quest to bring that extra-flat, extra-colorful Material Design look to every single app is still underway, it seems. The search giant has posted an update to Google+ for Android that flattens even more of the social network's interface and adds splashes of solid color, such as a bright red "new post" button. This isn't just a cosmetic update, mind you. The Photos section is both simpler and better-looking, so it should be easier to share recent snapshots with your circles. At this rate, about the only software Google has left to officially Materialize is Android itself... which might happen soon.
Google+ now lets you lock down posts based on age and location
So, making your Google+ posts available for viewing only to people in your circles isn't enough. Maybe you routinely post risque stuff you don't want minors to see, or things you'd rather share only with your countrymen. It doesn't matter what your reason is for wanting tighter restrictions -- what matters is that you can now do so, thanks to the latest Google+ update. All you need to do is go to Profile Settings and find a new section called Audience. Within that section, you can put an age limit (say, make your posts available to people older than 18 or 21 only) on your content or show it only to folks from select countries. You can even set different age restrictions for each country, if you want to be extra thorough, whether you have a personal profile or run a business page. Couple this with an update from July that lets you use almost any name you want on the social network, and Google+ is looking mighty customizable these days.
Google's easing back on G+ sign-ups for new email accounts
Need to make a new Gmail account but don't want to deal with creating a mandatory Google+ profile to go with it? Don't sweat it, because Mountain View's removed that requirement to join its ailing social network, and once again signing up for the search giant's email service takes you directly to the inbox without any fuss. As evidenced in marketing blog Wordstream's screenshot below, however, you'll still need a G+ account if you want to futz around with the rest of Google's services. Meaning, if leaving reviews for apps or media in Google Play and uploading videos to YouTube is totally your bag, you'll have to take the plunge and "upgrade" your Gmail account regardless. Still, for those who just need to create a burner email address to give out to less-than-trustworthy websites, the process is a bit less annoying now. [Image credit: Shutterstock]
Google buys an online polling startup to help improve Google+
You know what Google+ really needs, more than anything else? Polls. Right, maybe not, but Google did just acquire a startup (yes, another one!) called Polar that specialized in crafting buzzy online polls like "Who did a better job hosting 'The View'?" and "Is WhatsApp worth $16 billion?" (no, really) for media outlets and website operators. While it wouldn't be impossible for those sorts of click-driving questions to find a new home in Google+, that's not really why Google opened its checkbook. As the New York Times points out, this was actually an acquihire -- a deal meant more to snag the people behind the product than the product itself. Those folks (including co-founder Luke Wroblewski, a big proponent of mobile-first design) are joining the Google+ team to do, well, no one really knows yet. Google VP of engineering Dave Besris cryptically noted on his own Google+ page that they'd be working on making the maligned social service "even more awesome," which in this case apparently means helping fine-tune the Google+ experience, especially when it comes to those small screens we carry with us everywhere.
Google+ puts your social feed on a TV with Chromecast
Just when you think the Chromecast can't get any better, it does. So, with more and more services offering support for the diminutive (and very cheap) device, it's only natural for Google to make its own apps work better with it. To that end, Google+ on Android now lets you display photos from your social stream on a nearby television, thanks to a newly added button in the search giant's networking application. Technically, doing that was already (sort of) possible with Android's screen mirroring on Chromecast, but this is something actually designed to be viewed on a TV. Once it starts casting, the Google+ app can cycle through posts from your feed and put them in a loop -- that said, you also have the option to pause, in case there's a photo you really like and want to use as a wallpaper of sorts. Right now, the feature appears to be limited to Android, though it wouldn't surprise us to see it come to the iOS version of the app later on.
Google is reportedly separating its photo service from its social network
Love Google's services, but not a fan of its social network? Good news: the Mountain View company may be spinning Google+'s photo features into their own product. According to Bloomberg sources, Google is hoping to attract new users by making some of its social network's best features available to consumers who aren't interested in Google+. The company has already made Hangouts available sans Plus to some business customers, but wouldn't confirm or deny if the reported photo spinoff was really happening. "Over here in our darkroom, we're always developing new ways for people to snap, share and say cheese," a Google spokesperson told us. Well, that's certainly cheesy.
Google Plus finally lets you use any name you like (update: well, almost)
When Google+ first debuted, it insisted that you use your real name on your profile in an effort to "create a community made of up real people" and reduce the trollish behavior often associated with the anonymous internet. As you might expect, it's suffered some backlash due to this policy, especially for folks who wish to keep their online identities separate from their real ones. Over the years, it's loosened that restriction by allowing folks to use their desired name on their profile pages plus eventually letting YouTube users use their existing usernames. Today, at long last, Google's social network has lifted any and all name restrictions entirely, finally letting you pick whatever name you like. So if you've always shied away from Google's social network because of its insistence on real names, you can now go ahead and sign up with any name of your choosing. Unfortunately, you'll still have to use actual letters or numbers -- those who yearn for emoji usernames might want to take a look at this instead. Update: While you don't have to use your real name, Google+ still has some requirements when it comes to choosing what name you want. For example, you'll still need a First and Last name, though you can simply add a dot to the Last name field if you want to go by a single nom de plume. There's also a limited number of times you can alter your name -- maybe up to three months between changes -- and pretending to be someone else is a no-no. Additionally, we hear that using naughty names that violate Google's Terms of Service isn't allowed either. [Image credit: Shutterstock]
Google+ Photos now lets you go back and re-edit pics you already edited
Google+ Photos already saves originals of your edited photos, in case you ever regret some of the more Warholish tweaks you made. Now, Google is letting you go back and edit your edits (editception!), rather than making you start from scratch with the original. So if you like all the filters you previously added, but just wanna crop the shot more tightly, you can do that without having to redo the whole thing. The catch is that this feature only works on Chrome, according to a post from Google employee John Nack, which means Android and iOS users are out of luck for now. Additionally, the company is introducing a feature called Auto Awesome Effects (yep) that automatically applies filters to your photos, videos and GIFs as you upload them. As with everything else, though, these effects are reversible; you can undo them if you don't like the ones Google picked out. Look for both features to start rolling out today, in case you have time for a little image-play.
Your Chromebook now sends photos to Google+ in the background
To date, Chrome OS has only backed up photos to the cloud as long as you left the Google+ Photos app open; that's a hassle on the frequently limited screen real estate of a Chromebook. You won't have that headache if you grab the updated Photos app, however. The new version automatically uploads snapshots from your SD card in the background, even if the app is closed; you can move on to email knowing that all those vacation pictures will be safe. It's a simple addition, but it should make a big difference if you're planning to go on photo safaris this summer.
Google+ for iOS updated to make your photos look better, create videos with them
You don't have to wait for iOS 8 to edit your photos in the cloud: Google is giving the option to its iPhone-toting users right now. The latest build of Google+ for iOS has been outfitted with the usual assortment of Snapseed-sourced features, including a ton of filters, enhancements and basic crop and rotate tools. Naturally, these edits are stored in Google's own cloud, so you can continue tweaking images on new devices. The update also gives iOS users access to Google+ Stories -- giving you something to do with those newly edited photos.
Google+ for Android gets flatter and faster with new update
Google+ loyalists, your time has come. Your social network of choice already has automatic photo journals, and now its Android app has gotten a hefty makeover to go with it. The update rolled out within the past few days -- it's aimed at making the G+ mobile experience simple, flatter and faster... especially if you're working with a bigger screen.
Google makes your photos even Awesome(r) with new Android GIF and collage tools
It's great that Google+ can now automatically make photo albums, but if animated GIFs and collages are more your jam, then this news will sound loads better. Google+ Photos for Android just got updated with a bunch of new features, including two more Auto Awesome tools that you can use to manually create animated images and collages of any pictures in your album. Unlike the social networks' old GIF maker, the new features let you choose the photos you want to include instead of automatically grouping related shots. In case you've already got latest G+ app update, just click the new plus (+) option to find these tools and to flood your friends with GIFs of your beloved pet.
Google Senior VP and head of Google+ Vic Gundotra is leaving the company
Vic Gundotra, who is known for his role in building Google's social network, has announced that he's leaving the company after a tenure of eight years. Appropriately, Gundotra made his intentions known in a post on Google+, saying that "now is the time for a new journey, a continuation." He was careful not to mention any specifics about what lies ahead, other than stating that he's "excited about what's next." Gundotra came to Google in 2007 and helped pioneer the company's push into the mobile space by leading the mobile and developer relations teams. He headed up the Google+ project after Buzz was scrapped, which at the time was considered a risky move.
Google Hangouts merges conversations and texts messages from the same sender
Since Google tacked on SMS messages to its Hangouts app, it has been tweaking the experience to keep convos on the up and up, and this week it's making a major change. In version 2.1 of the software, text messages and Hangout conversations from the same contact are neatly merged into a single thread, allowing you to send notes via either method. In order to keep track of things, the two sources are color-coded, and you can separate them any time you'd like. There's also a split in the contacts list for quick searching: folks you chat with on Hangouts and phone contacts that you keep to SMS. For easy access, there's a new home screen widget and improved quality for video calls. If your Android device hasn't alerted you to the update yet, head over to that second source link to snatch it up.
Don't remember what you rated Flappy Bird? Google Play never forgets
If you were browsing through the Google Play store to check out this month's free music, you might've noticed an addition to the sidebar. Nestled between the device and wishlist tabs is a section devoted to showcasing anything you've starred or given a +1, called, wait for it, "My Play activity." Don't fret if personal media and app ratings aren't appearing on your page though, as Android Police notes that the link isn't showing up for everyone just yet. As of this writing, only a handful of Engadget editors can view theirs, for instance. Once the desktop feature finishes rolling out, you should be able to view anyone's rating-history at-will -- much like you can on Android. If anything, it's another venue for (privately) ridiculing your boss' taste in music.
Google+ adds page view counts to user profiles
Earlier this month, we learned that Twitter's considering introducing view counts to individual tweets, and it looks like Google+ just flipped the switch on a similar initiative. Follower counts are now joined by the total number of page clicks, which includes the sum of your profile, post and picture views since October 2012. Some profiles have already begun showing the count by default, but you may need to check a box in your profile settings before it appears for you. Similarly, you can disable the feature by unchecking the box.
Google+ for Android learns even more photo editing tricks from Snapseed
Google+ has been taking cues from Snapseed ever since the company snapped up the app, and this refresh for Android is no different. The update introduces tools like crop, rotate and one-touch filters. It also comes with Snapseed-like enhancements, including HDR Scape, which made its debut on the web interface early this month. While the update brings these familiar features onboard, you'll also come across something entirely new: "non-destructive editing in the cloud," which gives you the power to edit photos on one device and pick up where you left off on another. Finally, you can now see every photo you've saved on the device and in the cloud (arranged by date) on the new All tab. Since people upload more than a billion images a week on Google+, this definitely won't be the last photo editor upgrade you'll see. We just hope whatever the social network comes up with in the future is a lot better -- and a lot less cheesy -- than its Valentine's Day stunt.
Google+ photos get more 'pop' with new dynamic range tool
So far, you've had to use Snapseed on your phone to add high dynamic range effects to Google+ photos after you've taken them -- not very convenient if you're at your computer. That won't be a problem after today, though. Google has brought its mobile apps' HDR Scape tool to the web-based photo editor in Google+, letting you brighten shadows and tone down highlights in a single step. And if you're fussy about your edits, it's now easy to zoom in and verify that everything is just right. The new tools are already available for some Google+ users, and they should reach the rest of the social network in the near future.
Gmail and other Google services go down (update 2: outage details)
No, it's not just you -- Gmail, Google+ and a host of other Google services have gone down or otherwise broken. The company's status board doesn't show any issues, but Gmail users are seeing notices that their accounts are "temporarily unavailable." We're reaching out to Google and will let you know if there are any updates. Update: That was quick; Gmail, Google+ and other services are gradually returning to normal. Some users are still reporting that individual services aren't working properly, however, so it may take a while before everything is up and running. Google's dashboard now shows that it's "investigating" issues with most of its services. Update 2: Google has posted a response, stating that an internal software bug was the root of an "incorrect configuration" that resulted in the outage. The team is now focused on ferreting out the error and speeding up the recovery process.
