(CNN) -- Last Tuesday Google unveiled its attempt to rival Facebook, a social-networking product called Google+. I received an invitation from a friend and have been putting this nascent service through its paces -- especially on my Android phone. Here's my experience so far: (Do you want a Google+ invitation? Sorry, you may have to wait.) First, a caveat: Absolutely everything about Google+, including its mobile experience, is in a state of flux. So at least some of what I write here will definitely change in the coming days and weeks. Google+ is very much a "beta" service, sporting plenty of glitches, mysteries and oddities. Therefore it's just as well that the vast majority of people using it so far seem to be serious social media geeks.
@highlight
CNN mobile columnist Amy Gahran reviews the Google+ app on her Android phone
@highlight
Google+ is still very much a "beta" service with plenty of glitches, mysteries and oddities
@highlight
Gahran: Google+ user interface is cleaner, more intuitive, more user friendly than Facebook's
Google+
Google+
Google+
Google+
Google+
Google+
Google+
There are main components to the @placeholder mobile experience are the free Google+ Android app (of course), and the mobile web app (accessible via the mobile browser on most Web-enabled phones).
Google+
Google+
Google+
Google+
Google+
Google+
Google+
However, I've noticed some other @placeholder mobile users have complained of problems: the app installed slowly or not at all, or it crashed, or they're having problems getting their phone linked to their Google+ account.
Google+
Google+
Google+
Google+
Google+
Google+
Google+
However, I've noticed some other Google+ mobile users have complained of problems: the app installed slowly or not at all, or it crashed, or they're having problems getting their phone linked to their @placeholder account.
Android
Android
But for now, @placeholder users have the best shot of enjoying a satisfactory mobile Google+ experience.
Android
Android
That's because, so far there are no Google+ native smartphone apps for platforms other than @placeholder.
Android
Android
Because Google isn't just a Web developer but also major mobile platform vendor through @placeholder, the company has an opportunity to offer deep integration between its new social networking service and the popular smartphone operating system."
Facebook
Facebook
For instance, I can add people to my "circles" (contact groups that I define), read my "stream" (the Google+ equivalent of a @placeholder news feed, or a tweetstream), and take and upload photos.
Google+
Google+
Google+
Google+
Google+
Google+
Google+
This is actually easier than sharing links to @placeholder on my computer.
Google+
Google+
Google+
Google+
Google+
Google+
Google+
One of the main glitches I've noticed with mobile @placeholder involves the "huddle" feature -- a prominent part app, featured on its home screen.
Android
Android
• The opportunity to deeply, even inherently, integrate Google+ with @placeholder