Google

Google has rolled out the same new features to the iOS version of its Google+ app that Android users have been enjoying for a few days now. Google+ version 4.5 now allows users to access their photos and videos stored on Google Drive, and Messenger has been replaced with Hangouts. Google Apps for Business features are now supported, and the ability to start a Hangout with someone directly from that person's profile has also been added to the app.

Google+ is Google's Facebook-like service which allows people to connect and share with other Google+ users. Google Drive is Google's cloud-based storage service where users can store documents, photos and images. Both are available as free iOS apps in the Apple App Store.

Google has been prolific with its apps, cranking out mobile tools for a variety of its services. Now the company has announced it will retire four of its iOS apps in the coming month. Fans of Google+ Local (formerly Google Places) will be the first to lose a standalone app. Many Google+ Local features are now available in Google Maps instead.

Ratings and reviews created by users will continue to be available via the Google Maps app and on Google+ profiles. Even though Google announced plans to remove Google+ Local from the App Store on August 7 it appears as though the app is already unavailable. So what other iOS apps is Google pulling from the App Store forever?

Google rolled out updates for two of its more popular iOS apps on Wednesday. The Google Chrome browser now shows your entire browsing history, instead of just the most recently closed tabs. You can view your browsing history by tapping the new "History" tab under Settings. To clear your history, just tap the "Clear Browsing Data" bar at the bottom of the page. This will take you to the Privacy settings where you can delete your entire browsing history, cache or cookies. Other improvements to Chrome include better integration with other Google apps, data cost savings, and fullscreen for the iPad.

Google Maps also received a new look for the iPad, and the new Explore feature that Google has been championing for this update. Explore allows you to find specific locations like local places to eat, drink and shop. To use the new feature, just tap the search bar and then tap the the Explore card that pops up. You can then choose the category you want explore like Eat, Drink or Sleep. Each category also features a few subcategories for you to choose from. Other new features include live traffic updates and a simpler 5-star rating system.

Check out the complete changelogs for both Google iOS apps below.

We already pointed out in December that iOS devices seem to be running more Google apps than any other apps available in the App Store. So it makes sense that five of the top six mobile apps In 2012 were made by the search engine giant. Apple's decision to replace Google Maps on iOS 6 is the only reason why Facebook managed to nab the number one spot in 2012, according to the latest comScore Mobile Metrix ranking. Other apps rounding out the chart include Pandora, iTunes, Cooliris and Yahoo! Messenger.

Facebook also dominated in app usage accounting for 23% of time spent on apps. Facebook's redesigned app, which was much faster and user friendly, probably helped with usage. Facebook's sister app Instagram nabbed 3% of the market, while Gmail was the most used Google app. Various Google apps also accounted for 10% of app usage, making Facebook and Google products the most used on mobile devices in 2012.

I've recently noticed that my iPhone is starting to look like a Google billboard, and I'm starting to wonder if other iPhone owners are feeling the same way.

YouTube beat out Instagram as the most downloaded free app of the year, and Google Maps shot to the top of the charts after being downloaded over 10 million times in less than two days. Granted, YouTube and Google Maps were already popular apps people were used to using, and iPhone owners just wanted them back after Apple removed them with iOS 6. But if you're like me, and have traded in Siri for Google Search, and Safari for Google Chrome, you might feel like you're betraying Apple a little.

Then there are Gmail users and the social networking addicts who use Google+ along with Facebook and Twitter, and now Google is taking over our iPhone cameras with YouTube Capture. At this rate iPhone users are going to find themselves with more Google apps on their devices than stock Apple apps, or any other third party apps.