Is Google creating rival 4SQ and Facebook Places?

    imageIt looks like Google is preparing to release its long-promised social layer, in any case one of its possible components is already lit up and available - it's Google HotPot.

    It was discovered by chance, after updating Google Maps on Android to version 4.7 I was informed that a new widget appeared, which according to the description "allows you to evaluate places on the map."
    But this turned out to be not the most interesting ...


    After the first assessment I was informed that I can see my places and the places of my friends at: http://www.google.com/hotpot and this is what I found.

    In short, this is an add-on for the Google Places service that contains quite interesting functionality:
    - Recommending Google places based on your search history and your friends' ratings
    - Saving your favorite places
    - Grading and writing comments
    - User rating system
    - Ability to add friends to your account
    - View a list of friends' recommendations
    - Mobile widget for Android (version 4.7 cards)
    - Cool counter for ratings left :) The

    service is still open, somehow slightly underground and it will be interesting to compare how it will develop, especially against the background of the popular 4sq, altergeo and facebook places still not working in Russia.

    Below are some screenshots of the interface:

    Recommended places


    Places from the search history


    Saved in Google maps places (favorites)


    Lists of friends


    Place rating

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