Plusbar adds a live-streaming media player to Google+

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Martin SFP Bryant

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Martin Bryant is founder of Big Revolution, where he helps tech companies refine their proposition and positioning, and develops high-qualit (show all) Martin Bryant is founder of Big Revolution, where he helps tech companies refine their proposition and positioning, and develops high-quality, compelling content for them. He previously served in several roles at TNW, including Editor-in-Chief. He left the company in April 2016 for pastures new.

One sign that Google+ has a bright future ahead of it is that developers are starting to hack together improvements to the service before an official API is available. One such example is Plusbar.

This enhancement to Google+ adds an audio and video media player to the top of your stream. At present, it offers Amazing Radio, DFH Radio, Grooveshark, BBC News and TWiT livestream options in a manner so neatly-presented that it looks like it was designed by Google as an integral part of the service.

Sure, it would be nice to have more options for stations, but seeing as UK-based developer Kosso has pulled this together in a matter of days, it’s damn fine work. If like us, you’re spending a little too much time in Google+ at the moment, having an integrated media player might be just the ticket, and even if it isn’t, it’s a great indication of how Google+ might inspire developers in the future.