Google+ continues to evolve into one of the greatest social network/community platforms available (the best in my opinion). Many skeptics claimed it would become another failed Google project, constantly referring to it as a ghost town. If you’ve ever used Google+, then you already know what a crock those claims are, and in fact, Google+ is growing faster than ever.

Google has been busy rolling out updates to its mobile apps this week, making big improvements to the Gmail and YouTube app for iOS. But it seems the company hasn’t quite finished yet. It just rolled out some major changes to Google Shopper for Android and iOS — including a new look and new features — which are sure to make Christmas shopping on your smartphone a great deal easier.

Nik Software, which was acquired by Google back in September, has brought its award-winning photo editing app to Android. Snapseed is available to download now from Google Play, offering all kinds of awesome filters and effects that will transform your otherwise dull photos into a work of art. What’s more, it’ll do it without charging you a penny.

We told you earlier about the update for Google Search, but it turns out Google actually updated a whole collection of apps today. The array of apps updated includes Google Voice, Translate, Authenticator, and My Tracks. We’ll do a quick rundown of what’s new in each app and provide you with a Play store link to download them.

Ships soon? Yeah, right!

Google began selling its new Nexus 4 through the U.K. Google Play Store on Tuesday night, much to the delight of Android users who are itching to get hold of the company’s latest smartphone. The only problem is, there’s a 5-6 week shipping delay. That means your hopes of bagging the handset this side of Christmas are gone.