Facebook has just announced via its blog that it will be pushing a Nearby update to all iOS and Android devices with the Facebook application installed. This update will add a significant amount of new features to Nearby including Yelp-like reviews and ratings from friends. You’ll also be able to check in to different places, and as you do so, Facebook will recommend new restaurants and other venues to you. Facebook will also take you and your friend’s reviews into account when recommending new places for you to check out. The update will be pushed to devices tonight.
For those who don’t already know, Nearby is one of Facebook’s less popular features. At the moment, Nearby only allows Facebook users to check in to locations and then share it with their Facebook friends. Users can also use Nearby to see where their Facebook friends have recently checked in.
It’s nice to see Nearby updated with some killer features that will actually make the it relevant and more useful. This update could very well spell competition for Yelp and Zagat, two of the more popular crowd-sourced restaurant review and rating websites.
