Skip to main content

Google Plus introduces games and swears that they won’t be annoying

Well that didn’t take very long. Not that anyone thought it would. Google announced today that it is rolling out social games to all of its Plus users.

For many people that announcement will induce a groan: “Not more Cityville updates!”

Recommended Videos

In order to alleviate those concerns, Vic Gundotra, Senior Vice President of Engineering had the following to say: “We want to make playing games online just as fun, and just as meaningful, as playing in real life. That means giving you control over when you see games, how you play them and with whom you share your experiences. Games in Google+ are there when you want them and gone when you don’t.”

This means Plus will have information, scores and any games available only if you go to the Games page. “Your stream will remain focused on conversations with the people you care about,” Gundotra said.

Provided Google keeps games partitioned in this fashion, the difference is a likely relief to those that were exhausted with ads for Farmville and updates on people’s latest high scores. The Facebook newsfeed has become sacred territory for many users and polluting it with unwanted information has developed into a real sin.

Google also extended the invite to developers looking to create games on their new platform. They provide further information on the Google Plus developer blog

The Games tab is going to be rolling out slowly so don’t fret if it hasn’t appeared at the top of your Plus feed just yet. Considering how much money Facebook and social game giants like Zynga are making, it will soon. 

Caleb Garling
Former Digital Trends Contributor
How to get verified on Instagram Threads
A verified account on Instagram Threads.

Like Twitter and Instagram, Instagram Threads allows users to become verified to confirm their identities and access some exclusive features. Similar to Twitter's verification process, you'll need to pay a monthly fee to be verified on Threads, so keep that price in mind as you get your verified Threads account set up.

So, without further ado, here's how to get verified on Instagram Threads in a few straightforward steps.

Read more
How to remove location data from your iPhone photos
How to transfer photos from an iPhone to an iPhone

We all love making memories, and a great way to collect those memories is to take a quick snap of a gorgeous landscape, a party in full swing, or a particularly incredible meal. The Apple iPhone now also adds a location to your pictures, meaning it can collate those images together into a location-themed album, or show you all the shots you've taken in a specific location. It's a fun little addition, and it's one that adds a lot of personality to the Photos app.

Read more
‘Photoshopped’ royal photo causes a stir
The Princess of Wales with her children.

[UPDATE: In a message posted on social media on Monday morning, Princess Kate said that she herself edited the image, and apologized for the fuss that the picture had caused. “Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing," she wrote, adding, "I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused."]

Major press agencies have pulled a photo of the U.K.’s Princess of Wales and her children amid concerns that it has been digitally manipulated.

Read more