I think this would be somewhat more successful than their previous attempts at social networking.

Thank You - Google is easing into this, at least publicity-wise. 
Competition should improve everyone.

I'll be curious to see how accessible Google's social-networking offering is for screen-reader users like myself. Google is one of those companies that--presumably through no fault of their own--seems to have taken a hit-or-miss approach to accessibility. To give readers of this blog an idea of what I'm talking about here, I can use Google's search functionalities with no problem. As a matter of fact, the Google team was kind enough to create http://labs.google.com/accessible . This is a site wherein search results are ranked more or less according to accessibility of said websites. I have a Google account for my volunteer job, and while I couldn't set it up independently I can use the email feature just fine. Someone else had to set up the account because of the visual verification. Google does have an audio alternative, but some screen-reader users--myself included--have difficulty with those. In addition, the audio CAPTCHA'S are discriminatory because they exclude people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Other Google features though, such as Calendar and Docs, have little to no accessibility built in and require the use of a third-party app. This web app is in beta, and doesn't yet contain all the features. Getting back to Google+ though, I hope that accessibility won't be an after-thought as it seems to have been in many cases to date.

It is very interesting to hear that Google launches Google+ as Facebook competitor.I would like to visit the new Google+

I think the idea of different circles of Google+ friends as a fundemental concept within Google+ addresses a key weakness within Facebook, though I doubt if Google will be able to catch up fast enough. I, for one, have two Facebook profiles - one for family and close friends and another for business contacts and other acquaintances. I share different types of content with each group and it would obviously have been much easier for me if I could manage this from a single account profile. It will be interesting to see how this pans out.

It'll be interesting to see if Google's new network gets traction with businesses. Google already has a toehold with the at-work business audience. Products like Google Enterprise Search and Merchant Solutions are already used by businesses. Will business professionals use Google+ in addition to or as an alternative to Linkedin?

In my opinion, if you have different profiles or different privacy filters for different friends, then you have something to hide. Additionally, it means you are a different person in front of certain people, and you are insecure about who you are if you're not willing to share it will everyone. My facebook profile is connected to my friends, family, colleagues and clients, and I am not afraid to be myself to all of those different groups.

yes! I have been waiting for this! It drives me nuts that Facebook did not have this feature organized better. There are certain groups that I want to post to.

In responding to Amanda's post (2-3 comments up from me): I completely disagree when you say that having multiple profiles or acting differently around different people means you have something to hide or are insecure. Look at this two ways: 
 
1. Adaptability: If your best friend and you are having a conversation, and suddenly your boss walks into the room, does that conversation change at all? Do you tell your boss about your antics from last night, with your significant other, with friends? 
 
2. Choice. Sure, you CAN act the same or say the same things to everyone, but the fact is, in real life, you have a choice. If you want to tailor what you say and what you share with others (I would never tell my boss the things I tell my girlfriend), at least now you have a better CHOICE. 
 
If I knew Amanda, I'd probably tailor this post differently too...because life is about context, connection, and relationships, which are nuanced and never the same person to person.

Do I tell my boss about my "antics" from last night? Sure. All the time. I don't post anything on the internet that I would be too ashamed to tell my boss about. The internet is a public place. No matter what kind of illusion Facebook/Google gives you of "filters".  
 
 
 
I may not have said it correctly in my first post. Obviously you shouldn't just "act the same" and "say the same things" to everyone so that you appear the same to everyone. The bottom line is, Facebook is a website. Everything you post will always be there (even if you "delete" it). If you are doing things that you are too ashamed to tell your boss about, you shouldn't be posting it on the internet AT ALL, even if it is "only visible to your friends."

Amanda - that makes total sense, and sure sometimes people will tell their bosses about their wild nights. But lots of people want to customize what they say/do/share, even online. 
 
Google is being disruptive (again), and trying to avoid your point of "it's a website, it has to always be public to EVERYONE". Why? Why can't it be tailored to individual groups? 
 
I think that'll resonate well for most people too, and I hope this succeeds.

Yes. People will definitely feel more comfortable believing that they are filtering what they are posting.

I am interested to see how the launch of yet another soial networking site will hold up against Facebook, or even Twitter. As you can see, once Facebook was open to ALL users, MySpace didn't fare so well.