Google+ update adds large cover photos and Local Reviews tab

Google has updated its Google+ social networking site, adding a new tab for local user generated reviews and the ability to upload larger cover photos.

Added to the left hand panel, the Local Reviews tab lets users discuss and share their favourite local restaurants, amenities and places of interest. While it’s not yet confirmed, expect to see these reviews eventually find their way onto Google’s over services, such as Maps.Next, Google has added the ability to upload larger cover photos to the site, supposedly at the request of its users. When maximised, users can now pop a 16×9 widescreen image at the top of their personal pages, whilst the About tab has also been given a makeover, split now into colour coded block sections.

The Google Hangout feature also gets a revamp, with a full dialler now present for when calling another user’s phone. It’s currently limited to users in the US and Canada however.

Expect to see the features roll out gradually in the next few weeks.