Finally, Google Plus has created a specific app for the iPad. It has been a long wait but now that we have it, we can enjoy it. Two months ago I was so delighted with the revamp of the iPhone version, I created a review of it that described it as “A pictorial delight”. You can read the Google plus mobile app review here.

Menu

The feel of the mobile app is replicated here in the iPad version. They have similar menu structures. I note that the mobile version has more menu items, and includes the list of your notifications due to the extra screen space of the iPad at the end of the menu list. On the mobile version you have to select the notifications bar.

Nice to see that a hangout can be initiated from both iPad and iPhone versions.

The home button allows you to view your feeds, now in a wonderful scrolling fashion, dragging to the left to see more. You can select specific circles from the “All Circles” drop down selector, including the “What’s Hot” circle.

You can make a new post from the button in the top right hand corner.

What I really like in this view is that you can +1, comment and share a post without opening the post to full screen. Handy huh?

Opening posts

You can tap on a post to select and open it. You have to tap it again to actually visit the link destination, if one is included. You will notice a button to the top left “DONE” which allows you to go back to Google plus, and a button in the top right hand corner to open the post in Safari.

Your Profile

In the menu choice you will see “Your Profile”. This is where you can see your posts, and your photos.

Settings

You can adjust your Instant Upload settings, as well as push notifications and you can send feedback.

Summary

I am very impressed with this new app. I have waited a year for this! It makes Google plus very enjoyable to use on the iPad. It comes with a warning though, as I am sure you will spend more time viewing, issuing +1s, and commenting than you would have done with the old version. So stay away from it if you do NOT WANT TO BE SOCIAL. You have been warned!

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About The Author:
Clive Roach is the social media strategist for Philips Healthcare. He is active with strategy development, activation, governance, projects and educational training activities for all aspects of social media within Philips Healthcare. Clive has been working in the eMarketing area since 1997, and previously held roles in engineering, design and sales. Clive is also practical in addition to his current strategic role. In addition to this blog, he tweets daily on three Twitter accounts, has two Facebook fan pages, Google+, Pinterest, So.cl, Instagram, and participates in many other social networks.
Connect with the author via: Twitter | Google+ | LinkedIn | So.cl

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