So Google+ opened to the public today and added a bunch of new features many of which have to do with Hangouts. I mentioned in an earlier post that I was intrigued from the get go, about the ability to interact with a group of people in real time; face to face to face.

The entire Google+ Project gang have done an outstanding job of adding all kinds of functionality to the medium. Hangouts with Extras have some very useful bits.. you can split the screen and add docs, you can write notes and have others in the hangout add to the notes.

You can use the sketchpad and have others use it too.. at the  same time.. the applications of this one piece are mind-boggling!

Teaching, board meetings, Medical meetings [where the Dr can draw out the info for you] for those of us who are more visual, this will be an amazing tool.

just prior to jumping out of a hangout earlier today I took a screenshot of the collaborative artwork we created..Thanks +Chad Giardina Just noodling around to see what was possible we quickly realized we could both draw and add to the sketchpad at the same time. That’s one of my dogs (Cosette) and Chad added the Ruff  Ruff bubble..

Takes me back a few years too.. had s the WordArt which was a staple of the old Microsoft Publisher..

I think this will be a very effective tool for teaching long distance, for family that is far removed from each other and for strategy sessions: The list of business applications is endless.. use your imagination..

Love the whole concept but hey I already said that.. tons.. Hats off to all the Google+ Project people and the hangout folks too