I want to use it & I want to love it. So far I am greatly disappointed in the app. I wish I could get my hands on a +Samsung Mobile USA #android tablet to use in the place of my iPhone 4 (I have already purchased an iPad, so buying another tablet just for Google+ isn't in the budget). EDIT: I remembered I need a tablet that can do Hangouts, not sure if the Samsung's can.
Im' running:
– iPhone 4 running 5.1 (9B176)
– Google+ iPhone version 1.0.15
Much of this frustration comes today only because I was out of my office this morning and still had work to do. I had work that needed to be done online, in Google+, and was time sensitive. You try telling a client that the only app available for Google+ works like garbage. They think I'm lying – "it's GOOGLE for God's sake!" Yeah, I know. That's what I thought too.
What I find horrid with the mobile app:
1) No HD / iPad app. Google+ is not run by a money-strapped startup from a garage with two coders and a dream. There is no reason on Earth they should have a bare-bones iPhone app. I've seen startups out the gate living on ramen noodles in their mom's garage produce gorgeous and fully functioning apps (or even prototypes). Don't tell me it's because you are waiting until the desktop feature set is more robust. It's easy to update a mobile app. (PS – Still waiting for a +Schemer iOS app….)
Nearly half of Facebook's usage originates from a mobile device. Twitter is even higher. We can assume if the iOS app worked better here the trend would be similar. Hint. Twitter blew up when stronger mobile integration arrived.
2) Typing a status update is horrible. It takes no less than 20 seconds in between typing EACH AND EVERY LETTER into a post update from my phone. Hit the + key and count on a minute for the damn thing to respond again. I was away from my desk this morning & needed to push a few messages through Google+ for a client (see Number 4 to know how I have to jump between accounts) and it was physically impossible to type a two sentence update in under 30 minutes. REALLY???!!!! Is that productive?
3) No ability to act as a Google+ Page from the mobile app. Since we have no 3rd party dashboard support like +HootSuite (that I use for everything else and absolutely love) I am doomed to spend my professional life in front of a computer. Since Google+ isn't opening up a supported API anytime soon, make your own product better. Others are chomping at the bit to do it for you, but you aren't ready. I understand the API issue, really I do.
4) No single-sign on abilities across all Google iOS applications. I use two-step verification on my account, which means when I sign into a Google product on my cell, I need to quick! jump out and grab my pin from Google Authenticator just to use the app. Honestly, it's the worst user experience EVER. Add to the mix that I don't only use my Google account but those of my clients to run some of their properties online. Jump out of my account, into theirs (can't seem to use two-step with them because I can only verify ONE account on my cell phone), stumble around to do what I need to do, then go through the whole crappy sign on process again for my own account.
#rant
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Great feedback. We are working to address 3 of your 4 issues very quickly. +Ujjwal Singh
The other one will take a bit longer.
Google+ is a Google product. Google owns Android. With that said, they really should make the iOS app better because that's one of the biggest complaints I hear.
LOL sometimes I forget that +Vic Gundotra reads my posts. GREAT NEWS on 3 & 4 (thanks Vic). I was nearly homicidal today trying to do actual work from my cell phone.
Appreciate the feedback Lynette, we are working hard on fixes now. Stay tuned and thank you for your patience.
The mantra of Google Plus: "Soon".
it crashes with me two and sometimes does not upload my post , how about with you ?
+Ivan Cordeiro I crash about 1/4 of the time. Usually when I crash I need to kill the app completely & start again. Only once have I ever had to hard-boot my phone.
Honestly, +Vic Gundotra has it. 🙂 Also, I'm not too jazzed on the Google+ Android app either. Should we assume that given the beautiful redesign + has gotten recently, this redesign will inform the mobile app's design moving forward? Because that would be beyond awesome.
I've been thinking about buying a Google nexus. Hm.. Group Hug!
I agree with you, +Lynette Young, I rarely post from my iphone because it's so time-consuming to add contacts (no search in the "People" section is a real drag…..scrolling through 1500 ppl to find the one you want to share with is only slightly faster that "+" adding them to the post! Great to see +Vic Gundotra and the team so responsive.
downloaded the app for my iphone and I was expecting much more. update coming possibly???????
Any programmer out there to explain that to us ? I use Facebook app in my iPhone and do not have problems at all
I think they have little motivation to better the iOS apps because they've got their own tablet in the works
I agree with you 100%! Recently I saw a survey from a google employee (I don't remember who) asking for volunteers to take the survey to improve their mobile experience not only on iOS but on Android as well.
As a heavy iOS user I jumped at the opportunity and haven't heard from them since. Perhaps it's in the pipeline but I sure hope they'd make it a priority.
I believe that if they pump out a real nice iOS app (I hear the android one is quite good) that Google+ adoption will increase and there will be a LOT more happy Google Plusers.
Thanks for your rant, I hope it's heard by the mobile team at Google.
I don't +mention anyone on g+ mobile for ios because it's so horrible. Desktop is a great experience.
+Tom Hightower a Google tablet? Sure, why not! I mean there are Chromebooks – they have the OS, someone else has the hardware. Not out of the question of possibility at all!
+Josh Nicholls I have played with the Samsung tablets a bit at South by Southwest and liked them for Google+. Maybe now with Google Play an android tablet would make more sense to me, but I'm vested 2 years with apps for iOS and several Mac desktops / laptops. It's hard to make the switch at this point.
Just came back from Brazil scouting new locations for a movie and almost everybody had an iPhone and they cost a lot more than here … No wonder FB is booming down there
+Mike Stenger Are you that 'gingers have souls' kid?
Agree.
On the iOS app, I try to avoid plus mentioning anyone unless it's an absolute necessity. As soon as you hit that plus sign, you've entered into a painful process.
It has always been like that for mentioning people, but ever since the most recent update it stays "locked" in super-slow-motion even after you finish mentioning the person.
If it is impossible to fix this mentioning problem (due to the heavy load needed to run the autocomplete feature), than perhaps for the iOS app they could:
– turn off autocomplete for plus mentioning
– while making the post, you hit the plus sign followed by the name of the person (but the app doesn't try to guess who you meant)
– once you are done with the post, you hit send (like normal)
– before the post is actually sent, a screen pops up with a "did you mean so-and-so."
– you then confirm who you wanted to mention.
– then, the post is actually sent.
Obviously, if they can get the autocomplete working smoothly, that would still be the ideal. As it stands currently, it severely diminishes the experience.
+Vic Gundotra
+Lynette Young Really great post. I feel the same way. I'm a big fan of Google+ but only post and engage with others from a desktop or laptop because the iOS app is such a slow, unpleasant experience.
Not him +Benji Hertel
Same experience for me as I am on the iPhone 4 too. Mentioning someone is particularly slow. The mobile experience needs major performance upgrade.
+Lynette Young I agree, I'm deep in the iOS trenches as well and it would be costly to switch just for Google+. Sounds like Vic is on it so hopefully we'll see something impressive soon.
Maybe Google will buy Path and then our Google+ app can look like Path. That would be a nice change …
is there anyone that can give us a reasonable time-frame for when g+ update will be coming to ios?
is there anyone that can give us a reasonable time-frame for when g+ update will be coming to ios?
is there anyone that can give us a reasonable time-frame for when g+ update will be coming to ios?
i check the app store every day on my phone..praying for an update. :/
i check the app store every day on my phone..praying for an update. :/
i check the app store every day on my phone..praying for an update. :/
Some people may say, "a true Google Plus fan uses an Android phone."
I disagree.
I would say iOS users are the most hardcore of all the Google Plussers, considering the many obstacles we endure just to be apart of this community.
I believe in Google Plus! It's time for our faith to be rewarded.
Some people may say, "a true Google Plus fan uses an Android phone."
I disagree.
I would say iOS users are the most hardcore of all the Google Plussers, considering the many obstacles we endure just to be apart of this community.
I believe in Google Plus! It's time for our faith to be rewarded.
Some people may say, "a true Google Plus fan uses an Android phone."
I disagree.
I would say iOS users are the most hardcore of all the Google Plussers, considering the many obstacles we endure just to be apart of this community.
I believe in Google Plus! It's time for our faith to be rewarded.
crickets
+Chris Hoeller a true Google+ fan may be forced to use an Android phone because it's the only mobile that works!! 😉