Google gets Makeover: Google+ Improves it's features

While Facebook's Timeline is rolling out to users in time for the new year, Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) is fitting a handful of features into its own social network in time for Christmas.

Over the next few days, Google+ users will be able to access a noise filter, a redesigned photo application, administrative designations for Google+ Pages and improved notifications.

First, the noise filter is a control that lets users fine-tune their Google+ Stream so that they don't miss posts from people they enjoy following most on the network. The tool sits atop the Stream as a "slider" that lets users tell their Stream to show no posts, fewer posts, most posts or every post from a specific stream.

Google Inc’s vice president of Google+ products Bradley Horowitz said, “Today we’re pleased to announce a goodie basket full of Google+ features and functionality for you to unpack and enjoy over the holidays. Some of these were on nearly everyone’s wishlist… and some we hope will be welcome surprises. These features will be rolling out over the next couple of days, and we hope you’ll find them useful this holiday season and beyond”.

Watch the video to know How to Adjust the volume of Circles your Stream ?

Google also significantly improved the Google+ Photos application. When users view a photo in Lightbox, a JavaScript application that lets users click an image to have it magnified in a window, they will enjoy better navigation and comments.

Moreover, a new photo-tagging experience lets users "quickly focus on the people in your photos," according to Horowitz. See the Lightbox and tagging improvements in action here.

Google launched Google+ Pages for business brands in November, allowing companies, celebrities and organizations to tout themselves on Google+.

Thanks to user feedback, Google is now allowing brands to delegate as many as 50 managers as administrators who can lord over a brand Page. There is also a new "notification flow" so that managers of brands can gauge all the activity that takes place on a page. Think of it as a social media monitoring aid for Google+ business users.

Google said it will also show an aggregated count of users who have engaged with a brand page by +1  it or by adding it to a Circle. The idea is to give brands some quick and dirty feedback about who is visiting and engaging with their brand page.

Finally, Google added "sneak previews" for notifications that alert users to what's new and why it might be important, as well as the ability to see +1s and posts that have been shared since the user last checked.

Google plus is determined to end the year on a high note.

Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) shares were at 621.83 at the end of the last day’s trading. There’s been a 14.5% change in the stock price over the past 3 months.