Google+ invite received, we go hands-on

It's hard to argue with Google's track record. The company has scored a hit in nearly every space in which it's dabbled: search, email, ads, office software, etc. There's always been one glaring exception to this rule, however: social networking. The company hasn't made much of a dent in a world dominated by Facebook (and, once upon a time, MySpace and Friendster). For Google+, however, the company dove in with both feet, launching a multi-faceted service that brings a lot to the table with features like Circles, Hang Out, and Huddle. Is it enough to end the Google's streak? We take a deeper dive to find out. Those who have spent any time at all on Facebook will find it nearly impossible to draw comparisons upon logging in. Let there be no question: Google is going after the world's largest social network -- in a big way. The page is constructed around a familiar content stream populated by your friends updates and posts -- content like links, photos, and location updates. The Circles feature comes into play in the stream, offering users the option of sending posted content to specified groups or making it public for all the world to see.

The content in the stream defaults to a much larger size than Facebook, particularly when media is added -- nice for now, but as friends lists grow, there's likely to be a heck of a lot more scrolling. Updates refresh on the page automatically, and once there, it's possible to comment on it share it with your own list. The familiar Facebook "Like" button has, not surprisingly, been replaced by Google's soon-to-be-ubiquitous Plus One button. Pretty much every time something happens on the service, Google will pop up a red notification on the top tool bar and send you an email, just in case you weren't paying attention.

To the left of the stream is a list that lets the user toggle between streams from different groups, a link to Sparks feeds, and a module for GChat similar to the one that appears in Gmail. On the left nav, you'll see am abbreviated list of your friends, a Twitter-like suggestion list, a command to start a Hangout, and an ad for the mobile version of the site. The top bar, meanwhile, has a search field and buttons for viewing the homepage, photos, your profile, notifications, settings, and your Circles.

Circles is where Google is really looking to set itself apart from the pack. The feature seems to be born out of those horror stories in which Facebook users get caught red-handed posting pictures from days spent playing hooky Ferris Bueller-style. The page lets you create groups -- or "Circles" -- in which you can drag and drop contacts. This ensures that people in your "Work" group don't see the same content as people on your "Epic Bros" (Google's suggestion) list. Expect to see this feature on every social network in the next month.

The page also offers up suggestions based on your Google contacts. New contacts can also by added by typing email addresses into a box. The process of creating new circles and dragging boxes into them is quite dynamic. Google's really done a great job with the interface on this one.

Sparks is a pretty straightforward take on RSS feeds. (Remember those things?) You can search for topics and add feeds to your list. Stories that appear in the feeds have a "Share" button, making it easy you post them to your stream. This seems to be the major reason behind the feature: making it easier to pick content to share with friends. Once in your stream, the stories carry a "Shared from Sparks" tag.

The Hangout feature has its sights firmly set on Skype's multi-user video chat. Once the plug-in is installed, clicking the button will deliver a note to your followers' stream letting them know that you're "hanging out." Clicking the button pops up a Skype-like window with the faces of those you're chatting with. Whoever has the floor will appear in the main window, and like Skype, users can chat on the side. Not surprisingly, the feature also offers YouTube functionality, letting users watch videos as a group and create running commentaries in the chat or aurally by hitting the "Press to Talk" button.

Google, naturally, is also making a big mobile push here, as well. Android gets the first crack at the service, with the app currently available in the Market. An iPhone version of the app is apparently on the way, as well -- for the time being, however, iPhone users can access the page through Safari. The Huddle group messaging feature -- one of the biggest selling points of the mobile version -- doesn't seem quite ready for prime time, either.

When the news of Google+'s arrival broke today, we called the service an "all out assault on social networking," and after playing around with it for a bit, the description seems even more apt. Past services like Buzz have suffered from a half-baked approach to the space. Google has clearly pulled out all of the stops this time, with direct shots at some of the leading market software (Facebook, Skype). As ever, the company has created a smooth, largely intuitive, and enjoyable experience. Now comes the hardest part: convincing people that they need another social network in their lives, because without friends, you're just hanging out by yourself.

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