Google pushes G+, Hangouts features for business (page 1 of 2)

Video conferencing and VoIP (Voice Over IP) solutions have existed for a number of years. Now seemingly ubiquitous, the free application Skype has been on the market since 2003, before being sold to Microsoft for the tidy sum of $8.5bn in 2011. A few months ago, records were broken when the service clocked 46 million concurrent users online.

The adoption of Google+ has been similarly meteoric, although that is arguably linked to the adoption of Google's webmail service. Gmail finally became the world's largest email provider in October this year when it reached 425 million monthly active users, surpassing Microsoft's Hotmail. This announcement includes mobile usage.

Gmail users were initially offered membership to Google+ (also known as G+) but for almost a year their social media offering has been automatically tied to email subscriptions. Whether or not the user decides to make use of the social features, categorising friends within 'Circles' and hosting a profile akin to Facebook, is their prerogative.

Google announces global G+ stats

While Google is not releasing stats by region, G+ figures were announced earlier this month related to these engaged users only. There are now 135 million active users on the site, although 235 million use G+ across all of Google's integrations; YouTube, Android, etc.

"The first figure relates to what you might think of as a conventional social network" explains Ade Oshineye, Senior Developer Advocate for the 'Google+ project'. "We have some new tricks and ideas but it's essentially a social network. The next number, 235 million, relates to what we're trying to do with Google+. It's about how G+ enhances the overall user experience."

Google are promoting G+ in two parts. First is the 'social spine' that exists once a user has their account up and running. This connects all Google products within a single account. Second is G+ as a social destination, accessed via plus.google.com and mobile apps - here you are encouraged to build a new community from scratch.

One of these products, Hangouts, is seeing a rise in popularity for businesses. Google themselves have promoted videos on their YouTube page, demonstrating how the American media are embracing the feature for live broadcasting, while the Dubai Press Club have been pioneering video conferencing and virtual meetings in this region.

Hangouts ideal for Middle East businesses?

Oshineye points to a disparate business landscape across Mena, a vast area sharing a common language but punctuated by cultural nuances and varied economies.

G+ has been regularly updating Hangouts' features, though the basic premise is simple. Up to nine people can participate in a group conversation, on video if selected, with whoever 'holds the floor' expanded to fill most of the screen.

These Hangouts can be invitation only or open to the public, accessed via Android phones, include document sharing, YouTube video watching and a collaborative whiteboard feature can be enabled. Public hangouts can also be broadcast live on a YouTube style page.

The potential clearly extends beyond business meetings. Groups and individuals can teach, share and discover. A young musician in Beirut can teach guitar to a grandfather. Students in Jeddah can take baking lessons from a chef in Cairo. The opportunities are vast.

"If you look at Europe, because there's lots of fragmented markets the temptation is to get it right for your country before rolling out to other markets.