Wow, what a good week with Google +

Instead of reviewing a ton features like everyone has, I’d like to briefly post my experiences within Google + and outside of it.

From being on air with Leo Laporte on TWIT in Google Hangouts, to even the CEO of Dell, I’ve had quite the interesting week with Google +. Those are just some highlights I have had since launch. But I am a little uneasy of how I want to see Google + expand.

The beta currently consists of a lot of the tech elite and tech savvy users, and I kind of hope it stays that way. Many people I follow on Twitter and elsewhere in the tech world have really jumped on Google +. They have also become pretty accessible, but likely because it’s a closed beta.

There is always the question of Google + vs. Facebook, but if there is any company that should be worried, it’s not necessarily Facebook. They will have the resources to compete especially with Microsoft having a stake and interest in them (additionally their recent acquisition of Skype is interesting, including Facebook’s sudden announcement about Skype integration).

Twitter might soon be the company that is in trouble since Google + has made networking and following (not necessarily mutual friendships, like on Facebook) with people pretty easily. Although, Google + does friending and all extremely well too. However, Twitter still has simplicity, and that’s a very powerful thing. I don’t really see myself dropping Twitter given that I can consume information very quickly given the 140 character limit.

There is a simple reality I came to terms with. A lot of my non-tech friends simply aren’t going to ”get” Google +. And I’m perfectly fine with that. As it is, I’ve talked to some of them about Google+, and while they “supposedly” hate Facebook, it’s not enough to make a switch, especially since at this point, no one of interest to them is over there, and wont be for a while. I would call it the “good enough” mentality, but if what they are using works for them, I wont push them. That’s not to say none of them will ever join, in fact some have asked, but not on a massive level. In fact, I foresee the same issue explaining Google + to them as I have with Twitter.

Over the years (whatever social network I used at the time), sometimes I tried to get non-tech savvy friends to jump on. This time around, I’m not going to unless they ask. Then I’ll gladly send them an invite. At this point, there is an extremely strong tech niche established, and the connections between the Google devs, people I follow, and communities I’m involved in are surprisingly strong. The day I fear is when, celebrities and everyone invades.

Will I delete Facebook? No. It would be kind of pointless to at this point. Perhaps the idea of using multiple social networks simply doesn’t bother me either. I don’t even hate Facebook. Okay, maybe the Android app for Facebook, but that’s about it :P

If you are on Google +, add me if you wish. Paul Stern is the name. Let me know who you are so I know you're from here. If invites open up again, I’ll try to get some of you in as well.