Google appears to have given up on plans to develop Google Plus into a Facebook-like social network.
The search giant has released a new version Google Plus that’s more like a chat line than a social network. Google says the new version is about connecting around common interests rather than people.
The main features are Collections, which let users follow streams of content on topics like surfing or niche types of photography; and Communities, which let groups of people with the same interests discuss topics like Game of Thrones or painting.
Gone is the Hangouts messaging service – and, while photo uploading still works, it now has limited ability to tag people by name.
Meanwhile Google has also unveiled technology that lets users search inside and use mobile apps without downloading them.
Search results display what it calls “deep links” to relevant content inside the apps. The technology is potentially significant for app developers.
