Throughout last week, Google released a series of videos to highlight some of the main software features of the Nexus 7. They talked about the Google app suite, how to set up your home screen, and of course, how to use Google Play. In this latest video, the focus is on video chatting with friends through Google+ Hangouts, only the comments at the YouTube page for this video have turned our attention elsewhere. That would be to the Zombie hand holding the N7 throughout this series.

It’s no secret that companies use fake hands during these videos, but once you notice them, you can’t help but laugh every single time you see one. Apple uses them in all of their commercials as well. Ahh the Zombie hand, always stealing the show.

Last night, Google pushed an update to the Google+ Android application. We decided to wait until they threw up an updated changelog with it, but since they have still yet to do so, let’s just go ahead and update anyways. Once they have an updated log on the landing page, we’ll update the post.

Play Link

Cheers T, and E!

Many of Google’s applications are receiving major updates starting today. Maps now has the ability to store offline data, which means no more worrying about having to rely on a steady data connection to have in-depth and highly detailed maps wherever you are. Chrome, as we suspected earlier last week, has officially dropped its Beta tag. Google+ was a main point in their I/O presentation, with its new “Party Mode” and the ability to view feeds all from your notification bar in Jelly Bean. They also released the special tablet UI.

YouTube has received a complete UI overhaul, with navigation now happening on the left side of the screen and the ability to download videos over WiFi in the background for smooth playback while you’re on the go. Google’s Books app has received a few new features and you can now tap the top corner of a page to set a bookmark, along with video and audio playback when they’re embedded in the books.

Maps | Books | YouTube | Movies | Chrome | Google+

One of Google’s greatest creations this side of Search, is getting an update in the near future that will allow you to make your Gmail inbox even more personal. It will receive newer themes to go along with the UI that was introduced last year, which will allow you to choose custom pictures to fill your inbox with. 

Google is playing their social network very close to the company vest, and haven’t really opened up the ecosystem to anyone yet. That’s why it’s big news that Google+ will soon be coming to Flipboard, at some point in the future. At a conference in London Bradley Horowitz, the Google vice president of product management in charge of Google+, showed off some basic functionality of how G+ would look and work on Flipboard.

He was also quick to point out that they would be taking their time until it looked good, saying they wanted to wait for the point “when we can do it in a way that we know is good for users.” This will certainly be good for the growth of G+, we hope to see it sooner than later. Do you use Flipboard for Android since it came out a few weeks ago?

Via: CNet

There have been rumors of Google acquiring social-messaging company Meebo going on for a few weeks now and today the two companies made it official. Meebo started off doing instant messaging before everyone had an IM client and has since changed into multiple apps, like their toolbar or advertising, all with social in mind. Now that Google has purchased them, they plan on folding them into their own social network, Google+:

We are always looking for better ways to help users share content and connect with others across the web, just as they do in real life. With the Meebo team’s expertise in social publisher tools, we believe they will be a great fit with the Google+ team. We look forward to closing the transaction and working with the Meebo team to create more ways for users to engage online.

Google hasn’t come out and said how much Meebo cost to acquire, but they are clearly dedicated to making their social network as good as possible.

Via: The Next Web

Are you still looking for reasons to switch from Facebook over to Google+ for all your social networking needs? Maybe this infographic that lists out 20 reasons why G+ is doing things the right way, will get you to make the jump. Two things that I think are missing – 21. No Mafia Wars invite spam. 22. Less life sharing drama. 

This morning, the Google+ team announced that they were including a new “Local” tab to help you discover hot spots around you or to read reviews of places that your friends had recently been. They mentioned Android integration in their announcement which appears to have come moments ago via a Google Maps update. If you cruise into the Play store, you should have the update available. After updating, you will find a new “Local” choice in the main menu drop down that takes you to a landing page to decide what it is you feel like searching for. From there you can check out local businesses, read reviews, and of course, see Zagat scores.