Google is adding the 'Google' part to Google+, with integrated YouTube

Nov 4, 2011 13:11 GMT  ·  By

Google has made it clear from the beginning, Google+ is not about social networking, per se, it's about enhancing Google. Or, at least, that's what it wants people to think.

Either way, it's moving further with integrating Google+ into its existing products and the other way around. The latest move is a very interesting one, a simple YouTube button in Google+.

The button enables you to do a YouTube search that automatically generates a playlist of the top results, which opens up in a new small window.

Within seconds and a couple of clicks, you have something to listen to while browsing Google+ and maybe share with friends.

"It's no secret that YouTube is filled with tons of great content (from inspiring speeches to music videos to honey badgers)," Google's Vic Gundotra wrote.

"We wanted to bring YouTube directly into Google+—as well as make it easier to watch and share your favorites—so we're launching a YouTube 'slider' in the stream," he said.

The Google+/YouTube window is small enough to be a stand-alone music player. Of course, you can play any video, but it makes sense for music the most since you can leave it going in the background.

The best part is that you can close Google+ and leave the YouTube window running. Alternatively, you can browse Google+ and always have quick access to the play controls and to the currently playing video.

You can start a new playlist at any time, add videos and so on. It's a really great way of using YouTube for music.

You can share any video you're listening to, of course, and your followers will also be able to access the full playlist. Finally, Google is adding YouTube playlists to Google+ search results.

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The new YouTube button in Google+
The new Google+ / YouTube player
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