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Last week the Google Plus Network was launched. Although the network is still in closed beta you can get your invites through your friends and you can request an invite from Google Plus.
When I first wrote about Google Plus, I was hesitant to think that Google Plus would be a social media game changer but after using it for several days, I am quickly changing my mind. They have added so many great features and have plans to add more.
One of the features I want to talk about today, is image and video uploading. When I first found that you could add images via a smartphone application or from your stream I was a little concerned since the images are stored on your Picasa profile. For those that do not know, Picasa is image storage and desktop editor. Storage side of Picasa is like Flickr but you are limited to only one gig of storage.
With only one gig of storage, this can limit someone who loves sharing images with their social network. With todays high mega pixel digital camera and camera phone, you can quickly use up your storage limits within a few hours or days.
Unlimited Storage For Google Plus and Picasa Users
Because Google Plus uploads all of your images and videos to your Picasa account, Picasa changed the storage limitations to unlimited if you upload through Google Plus. But there are few limitations, but even with the limitations, there really isn’t a concern.
Google Plus and Picasa Image and Video Limitations
The only limitations are that all images uploaded must be 2048 x 2048 pixels or smaller and videos need to be no more than fifteen minutes. If your images and videos are longer, then it will count against your one gig of storage for Picasa. But another cool thing is Google will automatically resize images so they stay under the free size limit.
Tagging Images in Google Plus
Another cool thing you can do is Tag photos and add a Geo Location. What that means is, if you tag and set the geo location on Google Plus it will also create tags and the geo location on Picasa.
To create a tag, add a geo location, or add a description, first, you will need to share and upload your image through the browser. Once you share it, click on your image. After clicking, a shadow box pops up with your image. Click on the face on the image. A box pops up and you can add a tag. If they are in your friends list, then you will see them in a drop down menu. 
Tagging is setup like Facebook, you have total control of who tags you and how tag your images. If you are tagged by some in your circles, then its automatically approved, but if you want it removed, then you can go in and remove it on you photo tab.
Final Thoughts
So far, I have only added two pictures to Picasa through Google Plus and it works great, The images are larger and of better quality than Facebook, and it’s a lot easier to share and hide images from those in your circles.
Image Source: Iconfinder
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