As had been rumoured in numerous media reports already, Google has today officially announced Collections, a new Google+ feature that curates posts according to different topics to make your browsing simpler.
Upon taking a look at the first impressions which Google has provided, it looks strikingly similar to Pinterest. Posts are clubbed together and filed under specific topics, called collections. You can create your own collections or choose to follow collections created by your friends. Upon clicking either of those filings, you get to a page showing everything which those you’ve followed have posted.
Google says Every collection is a focused set of posts on a particular topic, providing an easy way for you to organize all the things you’re into.
Each collection can be shared publicly, privately, or with a custom set of people. Once you create your first collection, your profile will display a new tab where other people can find and follow your collections.
Posts in collections you follow will appear in your Home stream, with a link to easily jump right into the collection so you can get to similar content from that author.
Google has been trying hard to re-invent Google+.Ever since Orkut starting loosing out to Facebook (and ultimately shut down), social networking has been an uphill task for Google. And even though Google+ garnered significant appreciation for Google’s complete redesigning upon launch, it still continues to lag way behind Facebook when it comes to active users or advertisers.
Collections is another Google bet to attract users towards its social networking platform. And the search giant has employed fluorescent colours coupled with Flat UI so as to appeal this new feature to users. But then, its pretty much similar to what Pinterest is and I personally fail to see anything new in Collections. In fact, Google’s own post doesn’t say much about the feature. Nevertheless, a welcome addition to Google+.
Collections is available on Android and the web, and iOS is coming later. For Android users, make sure to update your Google+ app to get access to Collections, and on web it should be visible on your profile right away.
