Prior to the launch of the Google+ social network, Google has submitted a request for a mobile (iPad and iPhone) version of their new + project.
If Google want’s to compete with the likes of Twitter and Facebook, then customer reach is vital, meaning applications on as many operating systems as possible.
With the rise of the Apple iPad and iPhone over the last few years, becoming the out and out market leaders in hand held devices (including the iPod touch), an app for these platform’s is seen as the make-or-break for Google.
Apparently leaked by a Google employee through a Google+ status update, an iOS application has been officially submitted. The post read: “For my iPhone using friends: the Google+ iPhone app has been submitted to the App store (no not today, sometime prior to today) and is awaiting approval”.
The BBC quotes a social media consultant, Rax Lakhani as saying: “I think a lot of people, even on the iPhone, do not have the apps, even for Facebook and Twitter”.
We disagree, as many workers cannot access Facebook whilst on their PC, and the whole concept of social media is to keep up-to-date with friends, find popular places (whilst on the move as well), arrange meetings and communicate through several formats. This includes instant messaging, status updates, sharing photo’s whilst out and live video chat.
Any block by Apple to approve the iOS will undoubtedly result in some sort of law suit, however Apple successfully turned down iOS submissions for Google Voice and Google Latitude Apps.
