Google+ for Android Updated With Chromecast Stream Support and More

Google on Tuesday has updated its Google+ app for Android devices with the Chromecast feature to stream their social feed to a television, and the ability to edit Auto Awesome movies (only on select devices).

Google+ for Android users running the app on devices with Android 4.1 or higher will now be able to 'cast a slideshow of the photos, videos and links', or Google+ stream, from their Android device to a TV via a Chromecast dongle.

Once the Android device is connected to the Chromecast dongle, the Google+ app's new Chromecast button will auto-cast recent posts in the user's stream to the connected TV. The casted stream plays in a loop and users will see playback controls options (previous, pause and next) on the app too.

The updated Google+ app that is listed on Google Play India has also brought an option to edit Auto Awesome movies, only for devices running Android 4.3 or higher. The Auto Awesome feature lets users make movies and slideshows automatically from their photos and videos.

Users can also create an Auto Awesome movie by selecting some photos and videos from the Google Photos app. Users can learn the step by step process from Google+ help section. Additionally, the Google+ app update brings performance improvements and bug fixes.

Notably, Google is also reportedly planning to release its Google Photos service as a standalone app similar to the release of Docs, Sheets, and Slides apps in May. Earlier this month, a report citing people with knowledge of the company's plans noted that the search engine giant is planning to give its Photos service a more independent role, and will allow non-Google+ users to access the photo service.

The report also speculated that the move might bolster the popularity of its Google Photos service when independent of the Google+. The report quoting one of the sources had claimed that Google might even rebrand its Photos service.