Google’s social network, the oft maligned Google+, is coming up on its one-year anniversary in just a few weeks and Mountain View is looking to give its mobile apps a fresh coat of paint in celebration. In a blog post, the search giant has unveiled its new iOS app, which is a complete redesign. Subjectively, it’s also quite attractive.
The entire interface is cleaner and has less white space. If there is an opportunity for the app to blow up a picture, it’s going to happen. Profile pics, images in your stream, and photo albums are shown in more detail now. The fonts used in the app are also much, much better now. The app is easier to use for long periods with its use of overlays, gradients, and other elements that complement the Retina Display on the iPhone.
There aren’t really any new features to speak of, but the app moves around some functions to make them easier to use. For example, the +1 button floats at the top of the stream as you’re browsing. This update is in the App Store right now; it was a smart move not to announce this until Apple had approved it.
Android users might be wondering what’s going on, and do have a reason to be a little jealous. Throughout the blog post, there is almost no mention of the Android app, which is similarly in need of an update. That app still feels very much like the old Google+ before the recent web redesign. Google says a refreshed Android app is coming in a few weeks, but also hinted that it will have some added features.
