Google+ app hits iPhone today

Plus points for Google, which has unleashed a Google+ app for your iPhone. The app is now available in the iTunes App Store for you to take the Big G's new social network out and about with you on your travels.

Google+ lets you group your mates into circles. In the app you can pick which circles you want to see updates from, then see what they're saying and sharing in your stream. You can also see what's happening nearby as you wander about, handy if you're at a loose end.

The app puts your circles, stream and huddles in your pocket, tying it all together with your location as you roam far and wide. You can search for nearby places of interest, and tag your photos and status updates with your current location.

The Huddle feature sends messages to specific groups of people, so you can keep in touch with just family members, with people going on a particular night out, or just generally ganging up on other people. It also sends notifications if you get messages or new updates.

The battle for our attention as we share, poke and twitter is heating up as social networks challenge the current Facebook monopoly. Googleboss Larry Page reckons Google+ has gathered 10 million users in just a few weeks of limited trials, while Microsoft is apparently working on a social network known as Tulalip. Facebook is feeling the heat, yanking ads for rivals from its advertising.

Google+ is free from the Apple App Store in iTunes. You might have trouble finding it in the shop at first, but follow that link and you're golden. You have to be 13 or over to use it, and there isn't an iPad version yet.

Are you enjoying Google+? Download the app and let us know how you get  on with it -- and tell us what's missing.