Installing Google+ Android App
As a participant in the field trial of Google+, I would like to try, as much as I can, the different features of the emerging rival of Facebook and Twitter in the social networking world. When I accepted the invitation to the closed beta testing of the application early this month, the Google+ web app automatically showed in my desktop. Next thing I want was to have it in my cellphone so I looked for instructions on how to install Google+ native Android app. I saw the ‘Go Mobile‘ link in the right sidebar of my Google+ homepage so I clicked it and followed the instructions but got a ‘Not found’ prompt after the ‘Go to Android Market’ link.
Thinking that the native Android app was not yet ready at that time, I settled on bookmarking the mobile web version of Google+. After three (3) weeks of using Google+ in its desktop and mobile web versions, I decided to see again if I could have its native app installed on my mobile phone because I want to use its instant video and picture upload feature. Again, I got the same prompt I described above.
Somehow frustrated, I posted my status in the public stream of my Google+ and immediately got a reply on what to do to have the native app installed on an Android phone. I had to download the GooglePlus1.0.2.apk file to my cellphone and set it to ‘Allow installation of non-Market applications’ to install the app. After installing the native Google+ app, I was able to upload the pictures from my phone very easily.
Google+, at present, is far from perfect but based on feedback from current beta testers, it really could pose a serious threat on the Facebook dominance of the social networking world. It garnered twenty (20) million members in less than a month of closed beta testing and while it may seem to be a Facebook copycat at first look, using it reveals a lot of useful functionalities not found in the leading social networking site. It may still be a long way but Google+ is definitely going there.
By the way, if you are interested to join the field trial of Google+ but have not been invited yet, you may want to use the Contact Me on this site and rest assured that I will invite you as long as it is still possible.
UPDATE: The Google+ native app is now available at Android Market. Just go to Market >> Applications >> Free Apps then search Google+, download and it will install automatically.
Hello Edz,
I commented here since I can no longer comment in your other post regarding installing google +1 button. I have successfully added the widget from your the guide in your post but my concern is, how to tweak it just like yours. The button that I have installed is too big for me to look at and I want it to be like what appear in yours. How to edit it. I am in WP too.
Hi sir rob,
I’m sorry that you can’t post this comment anymore in my older blog about Google +1 button. I close my blogs to comments after 30 days to minimize the manually-written spams that could occupy much of my blogging time if I won’t do such.
I understand that you installed the same Google +1 WP plugin that I have here in my plug. If you look at the left sidebar of your WP dashboard, you will find the Google +1 Settings near the bottom which when clicked will open the “Settings for Google+1 Integration”. Right on top are the sizes of Google +1 icons from which you can select the one that will fit your blog. I was using Medium with count before but changed it to Standard with count so that my readers could see it better and hopefully click it if they liked my blog post.
Hope this helps.
Thanks Edz for the swift response. It just shows how silly of me for not paying much attention in my dashboard. There’s still a lot to learn about.