Google+ for Google Apps

As promised, Google+ is now obtainable for Google Apps users. Administrators can allow the new service from the control panel, as explained here. Google+ requires that Picasa Web Albums and Google Talk are enabled and that the organization uses the new accounts infrastructure. If the two services are enabled and the choice to automatically add new services is selected, Google+ is routinely enabled.

After the enabling the service, you require to wait a few minutes until you can use it. Obviously, users have to physically join Google+ by visiting plus.google.com. "Google Apps users will have access to the same set of features that are obtainable to every Google+ user, and more. In addition to sharing publicly or with your circles, you'll also have the alternative to share with everyone in your organization, even if you haven't additional all of those people to a circle," explains Google.

It's interesting that Google+ is obtainable for higher education institutions, but not for other education institutions because users have to be at least 18 years old to use Google+.

You almost certainly noticed that Google+ evolves incredibly fast, faster than any other Google service. The support for Google Apps is not the only new quality: there's Hot on Google+ (a section that highlights popular posts), Ripples (a visualization tool for public shares and comments) and a Creative Kit for photo editing powered by Picnik.

Chrome Remote Desktop

Chrome Remote Desktop is a new Chrome addition that lets you remotely control a computer from your browser. It's the first software that uses a technology code-named "chromoting" and it's particularly useful if you have a Chrome book.

The goal of this beta release is to show the core Chrome Remoting technology and get feedback from users. This edition enables users to share with or get access to one more computer by providing a one-time verification code. Access is given only to the exact person the user identifies for one time only, and the sharing session is totally secured.

One potential use of this description is the remote IT helpdesk case. The helpdesk can use the Chrome Remote Desktop BETA to help another user, while equally a user can receive help by setting up a sharing session without leaving their desk. Additional use cases such as being able to way in your own computer remotely are coming soon.

Chrome Remote Desktop BETA is fully cross-platform, so you can connect any two computers that have a Chrome browser, together with Windows, Linux, Mac and Chrome books.

I've installed the addition on a Dell laptop that runs Windows 7 and on a Samsung Chrome book. The extension has more than 17 MB, so you have to wait a little bit until it's downloaded and installed. After installing the extension on my Dell laptop, I clicked the innovative icon from the new tab page and Chrome Remote Desktop asked me to "grant extended access permissions" to my computer.

Chrome Remote Desktop is a special extension since it can be used to control your computer. It's interesting that the addition uses Google Talk's technology to send messages.

When you choose to share your computer, Remote Desktop generates a code you need to enter on a second computer.

Here's what happens after installing the addition on my Chrome book:

The presentation is pretty good, but it depends on your Internet connection and the computers you're using. The extension is particularly useful for businesses and it will make Chrome books even more attractive for companies.