Google released Wave and Buzz some time ago and to say those attempts at social media were ill-fated may be an understatement. Due to the rise of Facebook and Twitter it was only a matter of time before Google would once again step up to the plate with another social networking site. It looks like Tuesday June 28, 2011 is the date that Google+ was released.

Google+ has already been criticized by some as too similar to Facebook in regards to the look of the stream. However, Google has created enough unique features that will allow Google+ to compete with other brands of social media.

The Circles feature will allow you to place different people in different groups. The idea is to filter what type of information you want certain people you are connected with on Google+ to see. Let’s face it, the friends you hang out with on the weekend are people you want to share different information with than your boss, co-workers and especially your parents. This may be the best feature of Google+. The groups include:

• Friends
• Family
• Acquaintances
• Following
• Professional

Hangout lets people in your Circle know you are hanging out online and gives them the option to chat through Google Talk or on video (up to ten people). Hangout could be competition for other video chat products such as Skype. This feature does not currently work for mobile devices.

Instant Upload is a feature that allows pictures and videos taken on your cell phone to be uploaded to Google+ automatically. The media is saved to a private folder, allowing you access to the folder later so you can decide who gets to see them. This saves time in having to upload each picture or video manually.

Sparks allows you to tell Google+ things you are interested in and you will in turn be sent items that Google+ thinks you will enjoy. Think of it as Tivo for social media! This gives you a chance to discover something new you were not aware of before simply because you liked something that was related in some fashion.

Huddle is perfect for mobile phone use. Huddle converts several ongoing text conversations into one simple group chat. Obviously this will be of great use when multiple people are texting back and forth about the same issue.

Google+ is only available at the current time to a handful of people and not in its entirety. You can click the Google+ link and request to join Google+ as Google decides to include more people. The limited membership may create more demand for Google+. Time will tell. It is going to be interesting to see in the next few months the public response to this new form of social media.