Google cuts the cord on another feature from its Phone app

Google has officially removed the “Nearby Places” feature from its Phone app. The company announced its intention to do so back in February, citing low usage. At the time, Google stated that “the vast majority of users go to Google Search or Maps” to find business phone numbers.

The “Nearby Places” function allowed users to search for local businesses directly within the phone app. This meant you could quickly find the number for your favorite pizza place or local mechanic right from the dial pad. It seemed like a convenient way to leverage Google Maps’ extensive database within the phone app.