Google is doing a lot of work on its social networking platform, Google+. The service which now houses over 170 million subscribers, is gearing up for an update that will have Google+ looking "simpler, more beautiful". A redesign is not the only thing making its way to Google+: the platform is also down for some new features that should make it more competitive with Facebook and well, whatever else social networking services struggling out there.

The new design is aimed at making things simpler for users, something that Facebook and others have found difficult to accomplish. From the video preview Google has shown on YouTube, it appears the company has finally done what other social networking platform failed to do, and that is making the most used features easy to handle. We have to admit though, the new redesign is quite sexy, it far outshines Facebook.

We like how Google designed the platform so that users can have more control over what is displayed on screen. Instead of going to a settings section to move things around, just simply drag and drop applications to fit your needs. You can also hover over apps to show additional features, along with hiding an app by moving them in and out of "more."

All these apps are located at the left hand section of the screen, something similar to Windows 8 Charm Bar. There you will find the Photo and Video app, making it easy to upload images and videos faster and more a lot easier than how it was done previously.

The Hangout section also got a massive makeover, this should entice Google+ members to jump in and give it a try. New features include getting quick access to every public hangout where you can meet new people or watch live broadcasts, and also a rotating billboard that showcases popular Hangouts.

Google is doing all the right things to get Google+ to dance face-to-face with Facebook, but it has a lot of ways to go get. Facebook is sitting on nearly 900 million members, a far cry when compared to the 170 million Google+ is boasting.

Facebook's best bet right now is probably Instagram, the photo sharing app that was recently acquired by the company. It will be interesting to see what Facebook does with it to fend off competition from Google+.

Check out the improvements in Google+ as demonstrated in the video below:

(reported by Vamien MacKalin, edited by Surojit Chatterjee)