Look Ma No Cables - Google Plus Instant Upload

Isn't it great to have a camera with you all the time - yes I'm talking about the one on your phone. The current generation of phones take decent pictures. You can capture moments to remember as easily as reaching in your pocket (or purse) for your phone and click away! But besides viewing the photos just on your phone, you want to see them nice and big in a slideshow on your computer screen and share the best ones.

You know how it goes though. Dig out the good old USB cable and go through the hoops to find and copy the files from your phone to your computer... turns into "... I'll just do it later" (turns into way later or never). Well let me introduce you to the instant upload feature in google+ app on your phone (Android/iPhone).

Your photos are automatically instantly uploaded to "the cloud" for you and all you have to do is go to your google+ photos page to view them (look ma! no USB cables!). Important to note, these photos are visible ONLY TO YOU (they are not public, don't worry). Instant upload also includes any video clips that you have taken also.

After viewing them online, you can pick the best shots and share them to your google+ friends simply by clicking on specific photos to SELECT THEM and then clicking the share button (or you can click the "add to album" button to create a little more organized container to share the photos by). Either way, your friends will be able to experience some of the great moments from your day.

To get started, you first need to install the google+ app on your phone. Once you have installed it, go into the settings screen on the app to check a couple of things. First, make sure that "instant upload" is turned on. Next, set to upload when on wi-fi only if you are concerned about going over your carrier data quota for data used. This way works just fine. When you are home (or your other favorite hot spot), that is when your photos will be uploaded to the cloud. That's also the time you are at your regular computer anyway and the time that you want to view them on the larger screen. (note: I have found that usually 5 to 10 minutes from when I am on my hot spot, I can go online and find them. The app also notifies you when the new photos are up.) Android, the uploads happen in the background automatically whether google+ app is running or not. On an iPhone, I understand that you may have to simply open the G+ app for the photos sync to initiate. (iPhone users, I'm sure you will test and let me know how that goes!)

Now iPhone, I realize you have "Photo Stream" as a part of iOS 5. This is good too. Once you have set it up, your photos instantly sync to all your devices (including your Mac or PC computer). Once they download to your computer, they are kept without expiration. However, these files are only kept on the cloud for 30 days and caps at a count of 1000. Google has you on that feature though. For Google, there is no time expiration or total count to max out at. In either case, there is no cost for these services and you should be using one OR both. Now you at least you know you have a choice (but you don't have to tell me that you didn't know about photo stream already, you can keep that your little secret)

Photos in the cloud, what WILL they think of next? :)
I do hope that you learned something today.

Thanks for spending time in Craig's Classroom!

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About the
Author

Craig Daniels  is a Technology Manager residing in NYC who specializes in applied technologies in the fields of Architecture and Real Estate. Craig focuses on finding the best uses of tech as can be used to help a business be more successful. He is keen on always seeing the perspective and viewpoint of his audience and he tailors his teaching to be easily understood. He teaches by means of this blog, online courses and webinars, as well as one-on-one remote sessions with persons located throughout the country and beyond.