After
the
big launch today, some of those lucky enough to get a Google+
invite were still left out in the cold a bit: iPhone users. You see,
while the
Google+
Android app was there ready to go on day one, the iPhone app
remains in review with Apple. But fear not iPhone users, there is a
little hidden gem you may not know about: a mobile web version of
Google+ that works great in Safari.
If you simply point your iOS Safari browser to
plus.google.com,
you’ll find a solid web app written in HTML5. You can’t do quite
everything you’ll be able to with the native app, such as Huddle
(group chat). But it the main parts of the Google+ functionality are
there. Stream, Photos, Circles, Profile, and Notifications appear in
the main menu.
And there are actually some other unique features, such as the
ability to check-in to a venue and see Google+ message from users
nearby to your current location.
The app is solid enough that it might be acceptable as a native
app replacement if it did actual notifications. Alas, that’s not
possible. And that will be a big part of the Google+ iPhone app,
especially with the revamped notifications coming in iOS 5. There are
mobile web notifications that are pretty nifty (a red box in the
upper right corner), but you have to have the app open to see them,
obviously.
Below, find some pictures.
Please feel free to share your views and comment.
