Introducing the Google+ Project: Real-Life Sharing, Rethought for the Web

Google has been venturing into the world of social networks and they are working on some new stuff to make sharing on the web more like sharing in real life. Check out the first five features of Google+:
(Take a tour on the Google Blog)

+Circles: share what matters, with the people who matter most
Not all relationships are created equal. So in life we share one thing with college buddies, another with parents, and almost nothing with our boss. The problem is that today’s online services turn friendship into fast food—wrapping everyone in “friend” paper—and sharing really suffers.

+Sparks: strike up a conversation, about pretty much anything
Thanks to Google’s web expertise, Sparks delivers a feed of highly contagious content from across the Internet. On any topic you want, in over 40 languages. Simply add your interests, and you’ll always have something to watch, read and share—with just the right circle of friends.

+Hangouts: stop by and say hello, face-to-face-to-face
With Google+ we wanted to make on-screen gatherings fun, fluid and serendipitous, so we created Hangouts. By combining the casual meetup with live multi-person video, Hangouts lets you stop by when you're free, and spend time with your Circles.

+Mobile: share what’s around, right now, without any hassle
These days a phone is the perfect sharing accessory: it's always with you, it's always online, and it's how we stay close with our closest friends. We didn’t want “just” a mobile experience, however, so with Google+ we focused on things (like GPS, cameras, and messaging) to make your pocket computer even more personal. (+Location, location, location, +Instant Upload)

+Huddle: Coordinating with friends and family in real-time is really hard in real life
After all, everyone's on different schedules, in different places, and plans can change at any moment. Phone calls and text messages can work in a pinch, but they're not quite right for getting the gang together. So Google+ includes Huddle, a group messaging experience that lets everyone inside the circle know what's going on, right this second.

For further reading on Google+:
Google+ and the LMS: Ads and Education
What You Need to Know About Google's New Social Network
Google+: Huddle and Hangout Look Promising