After 12 weeks in field trial, Google today has made available the Google Plus (google.com/+) social network to everyone. Google said in a blog post Tuesday that it will now let anyone sign up for Google Plus. Previously the service was only available by invitation, though it got easier to join in recent weeks.

The company also added a search capability to Google Plus that will let users sift through posts on the site. Users can search from Google+ and get results not just on the network, but from the worldwide Internet, Google said.

In addition, the Hangouts feature -- where up to nine users can link up and chat on video -- will now be available on smartphones equipped with cameras and powered by its own Android software. Support for Apple devices "is coming soon", Google added.