When Google announced Google+ a few weeks ago, online discussions flared up, either asking for invitations to try out the service, but mostly expressing scepticism. And that’s not unfounded as Google has a history of failing in the social arena – both Google Wave and Google Buzz flopped.

Moreover, Facebook’s immense user base means that Google+ must really come up with something exceptional to pose even a minor threat to Zuckerberg.

After spending the past few days experimenting on Google+, I must say I’m impressed.

First, there is the design element. I am a design enthusiast myself, and therefore I consider the look and feel of a platform to be one of its most important features.

Google+ doesn’t follow the usual Google design style and is actually very nicely designed. The notifications view is especially fantastic. Upon clicking a specific notification at the top right of the screen, instead of being taken to a new page like on Facebook, the post loads within the small area.

And if you are tired of receiving alerts for a post that is continuously updating, you can mute it.

Everything is very accessible, yet the site remains clean and simple. Navigation for the stream, which includes the ability to filter activity by circles, is on the left, as are your added interests in Sparks.

All the content is front and centre, while on the right is a list of people in your circles and the Hangout function. At the top, you can switch between Home, Photos, Profile, and Circles, as well as search for people.

The concept of circles as it makes the task of organising friends less tedious. But circles go far beyond organisation – every time you share something in the stream, you can choose who you want to share your content with.

Hangouts feels like so much more than a mere group video conference. You can start a hangout by inviting certain people or circles, or just by posting it to your stream and letting up to 10 users join in.

There is one main view that features the person currently speaking; the rest are displayed in smaller thumbnails underneath. A text chat is available on the left side.

Currently, Google+ has a native app in the Android market. The app is snappy and stable, and includes all the main features of the desktop website except for Sparks.

The Huddle chat feature mimics the functionality of BBM and iMessage and works very well.

Instant Upload is also a nice addition to the mobile app. Any photos or videos you take on your phone are automatically uploaded to Google+ in a private album, where you can then choose to share them.

I joined Google+ with the assumption that it would be just another Wave, but it’s not. The problem with Wave was that Google took way too long getting it out to the public, so people just lost interest.

If they manage to time this correctly, Google+ has some serious potential and Facebook will finally have the challenge it needs.

The technology enthusiast has his own blog at www.itnewsblog.com.