The day after Update Wednesday isn't always as quiet as it may seem. A new version of another Google app is trickling out over the Internet, and this time it's the Big G's social network. The update is peppered with changes, so let's dive in.
What’s New
This release is filled with what we in the business refer to as enhancements. There are no new features here, but that's not to say the tweaks aren't appreciated.
For starters, there's a new profile page with an off-center alignment. Likewise, the round profile images and underlying grid are now officially compliant with Google's design guidelines.
In general, the plus, share, and comment icons are bolder and blacker. Update: The play button on videos has received some attention as well.
When you click on a photo, the text underneath remains as messed up and run-on as ever, but at least now the app turns links into proper hyperlinks.
Left, new. Right, old.
On the very minor end of things, you can no longer swipe to dismiss the auto-backup message.
Again, left is new. Right, old.
Continuing in the trend of minor changes, the post filter search box has moved. It used to be next to the dropdown, but now it's inside of it.
You know the drill by now.
There may be more changes that we have yet to notice. Don't hesitate to give us a holler if you happen to come across anything else after downloading the updated Google+ APK below.
Download
The APK is signed by Google and upgrades your existing app. The cryptographic signature guarantees that the file is safe to install and was not tampered with in any way. Rather than wait for Google to push this download to your devices, which can take days, download and install it just like any other APK.
File name: com.google.android.apps.plus-4.5.0.72696933.apk.
Version: 4.5.0.72696933
MD5: 9f4e6c74eacceea278618039b57ad775.