Stream: This is similar to the Facebook feed. It’s where you share your status, pictures, videos, links and location (when using a smart phone) with your friends. Posts can be set as public or limited to specific circles.

Circles: It’s more or less like Groups in Facebook. The best bit is how you add friends: just click on their icon and drag them to the relevant circle.

Add friends: Not exactly easy. You have to go to Circles, click “Add a new person,” then type in your friend’s name or email address. You friend will be notified via email, and you need to wait until they add you into their circles too.

Link with social media channels: You can see your Facebook and Twitter feeds on Google+ by downloading the plugins from http://tiny.cc/wsprp and http://tiny.cc/6i8x7, respectively. You can also install another plugin (download from http://tiny.cc/x3f1a) to simultaneously publish your Google+ posts on Facebook and Twitter.

Hangout: This is something Facebook doesn’t have. Hangout is a video conference feature where you can start live conversations with friends in your preferred Circle. Just like group chatting in Skype.

Mobile app: Currently only Android phones can use an official Google+ mobile app. The iPhone app is still in beta version on the US iTunes. Other phones, like BlackBerry, must log in via its web app (m.google.com/plus).

Verdict: Of course it’s a beta and it’s only early days. The layout is pretty similar to Facebook but we think it’s just too complicated to understand at the moment. Especially the Circles aspect which really isn’t very intuitive. Even Hangout which is potentially cool, needs another plug-in installed first. The bottom line is, it’s not a lot of fun and we are a little bit concerned about the privacy aspect, since you have to give away a lot of info.