What it is advisable to know
- Google has introduced plans to take away quite a lot of options from Android, and the newest one is Close by Locations.
- Close by Locations within the Telephone by Google app permits customers to go looking the identify of a enterprise proper within the app, bypassing Google Search or Maps.
- Google says the function wasn’t utilized by many and that going ahead, Google Search and Maps would be the technique to discover enterprise numbers.
Google is understood for killing off merchandise, companies, and options usually, however current months have been notably powerful for Android customers. In January, the corporate introduced that Google Assistant would lose 17 options. Now, the Telephone by Google app is the newest casualty, with the Close by Locations function set to be eliminated “within the coming months.”
The modifications had been introduced by Google within the neighborhood boards for the Telephone app, as noticed by 9to5Google. “We have discovered solely a really small variety of folks use this function, and the overwhelming majority of customers go to Google Search or Maps when in search of business-related telephone numbers,” the publish stated. “These experiences additionally present richer outcomes and get in touch with data for these companies.”
Should you aren’t acquainted with Close by Locations, the function basically works like a digital phonebook. You’ll be able to search the names of companies within the Telephone app and uncover telephone numbers for these companies with out having them in your contacts. It is partly location-based, pulling the numbers of native retailers and eating places robotically.
Utilizing the Close by Locations function as a substitute of utilizing Google Search and Maps can save customers a number of seconds. Nonetheless, as Google itself notes, the latter choices are usually extra correct. Moreover, Google’s official steering for individuals who use Close by Locations is to change to Google Search and Maps as a substitute.
The function is being eliminated in order that Google can add higher options to the Telephone app, not less than in accordance with the corporate. New options powered by synthetic intelligence might come to the Telephone app this yr.
“We’re sunsetting this function in order that our crew can give attention to constructing the best high quality, most dependable, and most revolutionary experiences in telephone calling,” Google stated within the publish.
Google highlighted a few of the AI-based options it has shipped for the Telephone app, together with Name Display screen, Maintain For Me, and Direct My Name. Google says there’s “much more deliberate for 2024.”
We will solely assume that Google’s feedback allude to extra AI options coming to the Telephone app sooner or later this yr.
The corporate’s rationalization for eradicating Close by Locations is similar one it used for eradicating 17 options from Google Assistant. In that occasion, it stated that the options had been “underutilized.” This time, it stated that solely a small variety of customers took benefit of Close by Locations.
The function removals additionally come as Google continues company-wide layoffs.
