More free storage if you’re a Google+ user

Google pushes its brand new service Google+ so hard.They quietly gives out some benefit to the existing testers to let them stay there.One of the benefits is more free storage for pictures and videos.

In the latest FAQ of Picasa web album,Google adds the new lines for Google+ users.Here they are:

If you’ve signed up for Google+

Free storage limits

Photos up to 2048 x 2048 pixels and videos up to 15 minutes won’t count towards your free storage.

Automatic resizing

All photos uploaded in Google+ will be automatically resized to 2048 pixels (on their longest edge) and won’t count towards your free storage quota.

All photos uploaded  to Picasa Web Albums over the free size limit will count towards your 1 GB of free storage. When you reach your storage limit, any new photos you upload to Picasa Web larger than the free size limit will be automatically resized to 2048 pixels (on their longest edge).

If you haven’t signed up for Google+

Free storage limits

Photos up to 800 x 800 pixels and videos up to 15 minutes won’t count towards your free storage.

Automatic resizing

All photos uploaded over the free size limit will count towards your 1 GB of free storage. When you reach your storage limit, any new photos you upload to Picasa Web larger than the free size limit will be automatically resized to 800 pixels (on their longest edge).

2048*2048 pixels is quite good for normal printings and web sharing.So in this case,Google seems to be very gentle to Google+ users.If you’ve already a Google+ user,why not uploading your pictures and videos to Picasa web album to utilize this free storage?I’ve done that. :D

[Update]A trick to get Google+ Invitation

Google+ is such a hot topic recently.But unfortunately,not every one could get invitation at this time.Google was open the rights to send invitations from the existing Google+ users at first and then pulled the option down because of high demand.

Well,it’s not out of ways to get access to Google+ actually.Some tech geeks found that sharing something to an email by Google+ and click on the link ‘Learn more about Google+’ in that email,you may get a chance to be a member of that small group of testers.

I don’t know if Google intends to open this loophole or maybe accidentally,but they surely know about it now.I heard some people can’t successfully register for Google+ at the first time,but they get it work after several attempts.I think maybe Google is using this way to control the size of testing group.

Friends,if you wanna try Google+,please leave your email to me in the comment.I will try my best to let you get into it. :D

[Update1]

I heard that Google now has begun to open the door to all existing Google users for Google+ service.That means if you have a Google account,you could access Google+ easily,not necessarily getting any invitation at all.Well,I have’t confirmed that yet.I hope you guys try it now and tell me if it’s true. :)

 [Update2]

It was wrong info just now.However,Google did reopen the way of sending out invitations from existing Google+ testers.

Let me know if you wanna join Google+.

[Update3]

Unfortunately Google closed the invitation again.So people who want to join Google+ may still need to use the trick I mention here. :)

The Google+ Project

Checking the latest news in the morning has been my routine of daily life.It makes me feel closer to the world and closer to the people as I could get updated frequently.Today,the biggest news that attracts me is Google unveils the social networking project-Google+.

The projects combines a few of elements to make it fun and useful:

+Circles: share what matters, with the people who matter most

+Sparks: strike up a conversation, about pretty much anything

+Hangouts: stop by and say hello, face-to-face-to-face

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Google just releases +1 button(I’ve added it)

Minutes ago,Google officially introduced +1 button in official Google blog to the whole web.The +1 button is able to recommend content to your friends and contacts directly from Google search results and ads.

I think it’s really a cool funtion from Google as now we could easily share the online contents which we want our friends to have a look. Continue reading

[Video]Google turns your phone into wallet

Several hours ago,Google finally held a live conference about its new products:Google Wallet and Google Offer.In fact,it’s not too new as many tech experts have predicted that Google would apply their NFC(Near field communication) devices into some sorts of mobile wallet.Well,now it comes true.

The latest Google Nexus S has NFC inside.Google claims that a special security chip is also setting in the phone so that when the cellphone is activated to make payment,the chip will secured the privacy during the transactions.

To use of Google Wallet is very simple,only few steps will be taken to make your first purchase.

  • Make sure your cellphone is NFC enabled and your credit card is supported for Google Wallet.(currently only Citibank Mastercard or Google prepaid card is in the list)
  • Install Google Wallet in your mobile phone and then log into it,set up your wallet PIN
  • Add first card in Google Wallet with filling up some necessary information(quite similar with making an online transaction)
  • Submit the card information and wait for the approval from the bank
  • Receive the confirmation from the bank and now you can use your phone to make payments on merchant’s Paypass POS(currently only available in some partner stores)

I like the idea so much as it could definitely ease the whole payment process and let the shopping experience much happier than ever-no more long queue needed.

At the meanwhile,Google Wallet can add your royalty cards and discount vouchers too.That’s means when you’re shopping at some places with royalty card and discount vouchers,when you make the payment by Google Wallet,it automatically records the transactions into your royalty card and so you entitle the rewards/points immediately,of course,you could get some discounts too as the vouchers work for you.

Is that amazing?Well,Google Offer will satisfy you more.When you explore Internet and find some offer,the only thing you need to do is to save the offer in your PC and it will sync into your mobile phone.The offer will apply while a purchase is matched and paid by Google Wallet.It’s just that simple.

Well,after Google Wallet expands to worldwide,I can throw away the whole pockets of cards and let them sleep at home.I will feel less weight.But how long should I wait for the day coming?  :P

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