Google+ Redesign Highlights: Customization + Focus Shifts To 'You'

Google+ SVP, Vic Gundotra posted a big update today on #-Link-Snipped-# announcing major changes to the Google+ social network. The update aims to take you to 'more beautiful Google' and  interface redesign is one of the major part of the process. Let's quickly go through the Google Plus redesign highlights -

Improved Navigation:

Google+ gets rid of the static icons at the top and replaces them with a dynamic ribbon of applications on the left side of the screen. Google says this approach brings lots of perks and the most notable being rearrangement of the app icons, quick action-set on hovering over the icons, 'more...' button leads to new apps. Vic says that this approaching will enable access to more real estate for 'The Next Big Feature'.

Engaging Conversations:

Google promises full bleed photos and videos in conversations and introduces 'cards' of conversations which make it easier to scan and join various discussions. There's an activity drawer that highlights the community around ongoing conversations.

New Hangouts:

Google Plus Hangouts get a new home to maintain an updated list of invitations for hangouts from the people in your circles. It also offers a quick access to public hangouts and On-Air / Live hangouts when you want to discuss events in real time with people. Hangouts will also have a rotating billboard of ongoing hangouts, tips from pros and stuff you'd not want to miss.

Google+ Explore:

Google also introduced 'Explore' to show what's trending across the 'plus' social network. Your profiles now have bigger photos and the chatlist has been improved to put your friends on the front.

We're tracking the story. It looks like the update isn't available to all the plus users yet; but we hope it will be rolled out to everyone very soon! Stay tuned!