Nikhil Vishnu

Google introduces new orkut

Google has revamped its social networking site Orkut with a new look and bunch of new features. In this new version google concentrated orkut’s principle actions into the home page, so the browsing get faster compared to the old version. The new version is entirely built on the Google Web Toolkit(GWT). New orkut give more importace for status updates like facebook and twitter. A google bar with navigation to other google services is provided in this version, now it is looking like a usual google product. At present, users need an invite to see the new orkut interface. Luckly I got one directly from google with 5 invitations . Now let’s have a look at the new orkut.

Fewer pages, Fast browsing

All the principle actions concentrated into the home page so browsing is faster than old one.

Home page of new orkut with all actions listed

Google bar
Google includes its navigation bar to other google services in new orkut.

New orkut google bar

Search box
Unlike old orkut you can search orkut as well as web using a single search box. Quick friend search in the old orkut is
not available in this search box.

New orkut search box

Quick colour theme selection
Colour scheme of orkut can be changed from the home page itself. Total five colour schemes are available, default is blue.

New orkut header

Status Updates
New orkut layout is giving more importance to status updates. Recent visitor area is also changed, profile pics are displayed here instead of names.

Searching Friends and communities
Finding friends is very easy in new layout. The list is dynamic. Searching is done with every keystroke

Latest activity updates
Latest activity updates are something good. You can comment on these updates from your home page, no need to go to a profile.

Commenting on activity updates

My experience
Well, Its not very easy to change over to new version all of a sudden. Bit confusing to ordinary orkut users. If you are already using facebook or twitter this interface will not make any problem. I didn’t find the new promotions option anywhere in the new layout. If you find it please let me know . Photos, status updates, videos are fine. On the whole I would say its not up to the expectation. Google have to work a lot for making it more simple and elegant.