Google+ Redesign, Instagram Buyout, and Facbook

Well, no recent tech news post would be complete (or, it seems, even exist) without Facebook and Google and both are dominating this week’s wrap-up. Google redesigned Google+ (it looks great and uses white space vigorously), Facebook bought Instagram, and Facebook is making better use of the FB email address you probably never knew you had.

First off, Google+ just redesigned their social network service and it looks fantastic. The new design incorporates a left-hand menu that wraps around the top and focuses your attention on the content at hand. It’s a bit bland in the color department, but the whole design is continuous and smooth across the board.

Second on the menu, Instagram – a company with just 15 employees and No revenue – was just bought out by Facebook for $1 Billion. They have since gained 10 Million new users, pushing them up to 40 Million total. As with all insane stories of highly-priced startups, the news is circulating of an entrepreneurial/application revolution. Time will tell.

And lastly, Facebook is giving everyone an email address that matches their timeline name. For example, if your timeline is at facebook.com/joe.smith.1, your new email address will be joe.smith.1@facebook.com.

Happy friday and enjoy your weekend!