Google has launched its new Facebook rival, named Google+ this week. Currently it is in testing phase with a number of limited users, although if you check your Gmail account, you may be lucky enough to have an invite to join in their testing. Registration will be open to everyone soon.

Features will include:

Circles
The easiest way to share some things with college buddies, others with your parents and almost nothing with your boss.

Hangouts
Let friends know that you're free for a video hangout, any time, anywhere. Then catch up, watch YouTube or... just hangout.

Sparks
A feed of only the things that you're really into, so when you're free, there's always something waiting to be watched, read or shared.

Google+ combines most of Google's products which they have been creating and buying over recent years, including Gmail, Google Calendar, Photos through Picasa and many more.

There is no doubt it will be handy being able to manage all of these accounts in one place, but it will have a tough task clawing users away from the already established and familiar Facebook.

Google+ is also likely to be the reason behind the new 'Google Black Bar' which has appeared on their homepage.