Google testing Google+ widget in Gmail

Tuesday, at Internet Week New York, which runs from May 20th through May 27th, +Christian Oestlien, a Product Management Director at Google, gave a keynote presentation where he announced a new Google+ widget that the team is testing in Gmail.

Google testing related Google+ page widget in Gmail

Google+ mobile website updated with a better looking stream, profiles and more

The mobile website for Google+ has finally gotten some love. With improvements to profiles and the addition of cards in the stream, Google+ mobile site users will appreciate the update.

For starters, the stream has improved both in terms of looks and functionality. Cards are displayed in the stream with full-bleed photos, bigger +1 and share buttons as well as being able to view formatting such as bold, italic and strike through. The background on the stream is grey, being consistent with the new look Google+ that desktop web users have been enjoying the past week.

The new stream design

What's New on Google+: Communities

Communities has had a visual refresh to coincide with the Google+ redesign last week, but has also added a few minor changes to the user interface. Let's take a look:

On first glance you'll see that not much has changed when looking at the Communities landing page, which displays the communities you're a member of and other recommended/suggested communities. You can switch between "All communities" and "Recommended for you" via the handy tabs underneath the search bar. Recommended communities are more prominent, with larger thumbnails. It is now easier for you to see who in your circles has joined communities, and hovering over their profile photos displays their hovercard. Previously, there were inconsistencies, and it would only display their name rather than the hovercard.

The new communities landing page, largely the same but with a new design

New Google+ App Now Compatible with Android 3.0+

Google+ users with Android versions 3.0+ can now join those using the Gingerbread version of Android. The Google+ app has been opened to newer Android versions.