Mark Zuckerberg Is The Most Followed User On G+

In what has to be somewhat embarrassing for Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is the most followed user on Google+, according to the Google+ Statistics counter.

The Facebook CEO has 21,213 followers, compared to the Google CEO at 14,798, Google social czar Vic Gundotra at 13,783, Google co-founder Sergey Brin at 11,629, blogger Robert Scoble at 11,389, Google spam avenger Matt Cutts at 9,153, TWIT founder Leo Laporte at 7,566, Google’s Bradley Horowitz at 7,187, TechCrunch’s MG Siegler at 6,579 and blogger Gina Trapani at 5,649.

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Google+ Offers Alternate Buzz

Google unveiled its new social experience, Google+, an alternative to the now defunct Google Buzz. While Google+ clearly targets Facebook, it does so in a less structured manner and comes bearing a few gifts for the mobile user.

Google+ offers the ability for users to group contacts into social circles, allowing users to share relevant information with specific sets of people as opposed to sharing everything with everyone, as is the case with Facebook.

The new system adds some new ways for Google users to share on their mobiles as well.

“We didn’t want ‘just’ a mobile experience, however, so with Google+ we focused on things (like GPS, cameras, and messaging) to make your pocket computer even more personal,” wrote Vic Gundotra, senior vice president of engineering for Google, in a blog post.

Google+ puts a premium on location, allowing users to add location to every post if they so choose. The company also added an “Instant Upload” feature where users can automatically have Google upload pictures to a private album on Google’s cloud whenever they snap a new shot, which the company hopes will make sharing photos with friends on Google+ easier.

Google admits the new service may still have a few rough edges and is proceeding with a limited trial. Users can sign up here in hopes of getting an invite to the trial.

Google Launches In-App Billing for Android

Google has launched in-app billing for Android apps, company executive Eric Chu announced in a blog post yesterday.

In-app billing will let Android users make purchases of digital goods like media files or upgrades for mobile games without exiting the app. The in-app billing service is handled by Google’s Android Market.

Several Android apps are already offering the service, including Tap Tap Revenge by Disney Mobile; Comics by ComiXology; Gun Bros, Deer Hunter Challenge HD and World Series of Poker Hold’em Legend by Glu Mobile; and Dungeon Defenders: FW Deluxe by Trendy Entertainment.

Niccolo de Masi, CEO of Glu Mobile, called the start of in-app purchases on Android Market a “very significant step forward.”

“The Android gaming market continues to demonstrate impressive growth and we are optimistic that over the medium term in-app payments on Android will generate revenue streams analogous to those on iOS,” de Masi said, referring to Apple’s rival operating system for the iPhone and iPad.

Apple launched in-app payments in 2009. Four of the 10 highest-grossing apps in the App Store – Tap Zoo, Smurfs’ Village, Zombie Farm and Texas Poker – are free but allow in-app purchases. The launch of in-app payments on Android could help developers make more money off apps for the competing operating system.

Apple’s in-app payments generated concern after children using their parent’s iPhones racked up huge bills buying digital goods through games like Smurfs’ Village. Apple has since changed how purchases within iOS games are authorized.