On Tuesday 2nd April 2019 Google+ officially closed down after the recent data security breach and low usage numbers, This now ends the attempt to directly compete with the likes of Facebook and Twitter.
It’s a real shame because the Second Life and OpenSim communities had a strong presence on Google+ for many years. I hope that everyone managed to find other alternatives to keep updated on the latest metaverse happenings.
I’ll be using MeWe going forward. Feel free to add me on there.
A few interesting visual changes this month on the new SSP continent which is worth mentioning I think. Firstly on the SSP124 region there is a new message saying OSSM TAKES TIME with a smiley face next to it. This is definitely a code for something more official in the works I think or it could be something relating to a hyperlink to OpenSim which would be most interesting. What do you think this could mean ?
This month there appears to be more houses built, more new trees and more docking points around the continent (see the map above). I hope the new SSP continent will be connected by many water regions to another large continent because that would be great.
A new orange and green development has appeared in the central area of the continent with a double lane road on the right side (SSP186, SSP187, SSP202 & SSP203) which looks like a new retail space. There is another double lane on the left which may be worked on soon.
A cute smiley face has appeared on the SSP2 QA Test region.
The moles have definitely been busy during the past few months building more and more. The bottom half of the content remains empty it seems on the map and who knows what that will become in the months ahead. Good progress is being made and I’ll post another update next month.
Google+ will be now shutting down on Tuesday 2nd April 2019 and all consumer data will be deleted. This includes all photos, pages, comments and videos.
Important Note: As early as 4th February 2019 anyone wanting to create new content will no longer be able to create new Google+ profiles, pages, communities or events. If you’re a Google+ Community owner or moderator you can still download your data for your Google+ community.
In the coming weeks the sign-in buttons for Google+ will stop working although you’ll be able to sign in with your Google account.
It will be a real shame to see Google+ shut down in two months time as it was a useful way to find out what’s happening in Second Life, OpenSim, Sansar and for many other interesting things.
Apparently Linden Lab is working on an iOS app solution for accessing Second Life and hopefully there will be a Android version of it. Hopefully there will be a prototype app released sometime this year if all goes to plan. Sansar may at some point go on mobile in the near future.
Below are iOS and Android apps which can be used to access Second Life and OpenSim as of 30th January 2019.
Supports OpenSim, supports new Android Oreo notifications. supports Bento, supports voice, inventory management, 3D view, mesh support, works with Google Cardboard, full VR experience and more
Adds voice chat support to Lumiya Viewer. Supports group voice calls and nearby voice. Requires Lumiya Viewer to be installed. Support for Bluetooth headsets and speakerphone mode
