What's Google+ to an Android user?

Last year, Google launched one very ambitious project yet, Google+. Other then the Android operating system which is making a major buzz in the mobile scene, Google also launched a "social networking" site called Google+. This made the news and was touted as the Facebook killer. I won't delve deep into the subject but through some layman's example, might show you why I love Google technologies so much.

Below is a list of Google+ top features:

Circles - this is how Google+ organizes people you're connected with. Similar to groups in Facebook but way easier. Just drag a friend to a Circle and you're done. You can control the information you share based on the Circles you make. You can also control the information that you see depending on how you organize your Circles.

Example: You have 2 Circles, Friends and Family. When you want to post something (an image or something) that you want only your Family to see, just post it on your stream and select your Family Circle as the intended audience. Once it's posted, only contacts that are in your Family Circle will see your post. Nobody in the Friend Circle will be able to see it.

Real-time Stream - Updates (from the Circles you allowed to show up on your stream) will show up real-time on your stream, no need to refresh your browser. Mobile app still has to sync though.

Hangouts - let's just say, it's video conferencing from Google. Unlike Facetime, you can do a video call for a group, not just 2 at a time.

For an Android user, having a Google+ account and the Google+ app on your mobile device will help you get your (social) life organized.

I found the following stuff helpful if you own an Android phone and are connected to Google+.

(Some features might be from the upcoming Andriod 4.0 update-Ice Cream Sandwich)

Contacts - Google+ syncs directly on my phone. I don't have to enter contact details for a friend into my phone as long as we are connected in Google+. If the person opted to share his/her contact information with me, then there's no need to enter those information. If that person changes his/her email address, mobile number or even their name, it will automatically show up on my phone. There's no need to tell me you changed those information.

Google+ Messenger - standard instant messaging from Google+. Other that functioning as a typical message app, it also now supports Hangouts on the phone (think, Facetime for Android). You can also open conversations for whole Circles or some select contacts. The Hangouts feature can be better than Facetime because: you can do Hangouts over mobile data and you can have up to 9 participants on a Hangout. Video conferencing on the go.

When your device do get the Ice Cream Sandwich update, then all these services will be more connected. You can start a messenger with someone through the contacts app or through the Google+ app. Control the information you receive on your phone via Circles. Organize events using Google Calendar which also syncs up with Google+. No need to remember someone's birthday as long as they opted to share it with you. It will automatically sync to your calendar.

Do give Google+ a try and you might even think of leaving Facebook for this.

McDonald's Very Stupid Promo

I had breakfast today at McDonald's Madrigal Bldg. branch (where we actually often eat) and got presented with very stupid mechanics for a promo. McDonald's has this promo that if you complete 5 stamps, you get a very nice, colorful post it pad. My friend gave me the card with 3 stamps already on it so I decided to go to at it and finish the card by buying the 2 value meals still missing the stamp.

We went down to have breakfast, and ordered a big breakfast meal and a 3pc. hotcake with sausage meal. I then presented the card to the manager and he signed (stamped) the big breakfast meal only. I then asked why he did not sign the other meal. He then said: "sir, one stamp per transaction lang po". I then left and read the mechanics at the back of the card. Nowhere in the mechanics does it say that you get one stamp per transaction. It only says: "An order of the specified MacDonald's Breakfast Meal gets one stamp". I had two orders and therefore should have gotten 2 stamps. Another manager was roaming around and we decided to make an inquiry with her. She said the same thing about the one stamp per transaction rule. I contested the fact that there was no mention of such mechanic. She then acknowledged my complaint and went to the back to stamp the card. When she finally returned, she gave me back the card, stamps completed but no sign of the post it pad. She said: "sir kumpleto na po yung card nyo pero kelangan bumalik kayo after 5 days to claim the item". Again, such  mechanic is NOT mentioned on the promo mechanics. We walked out of the store pissed off at how the promo was handled. The managers kept making up  mechanics not mentioned in the mechanics. Such details should have been written clearly especially that they are more of restrictions than actual mechanics.

How the managers handled the promo was very unprofessional. I know it's just one measly post it pad but the fact that they started a promo and could even fully explain it really got to me. They could have pointed me to an article that mentions the policies they are imposing. The card itself doesn't mention those and given that such policies are very restrictive, they should have been mentioned in the card. Instead of me going back to the store to complete another card, I lost interest in their uber stupid promo.