Google Places API: Increase search radius

I have searched extensively for an answer to this question. I am trying to use the Google Places API (Android not Javascript or Request JSON/XML

) for an Android project that I would like to do. I have looked through the documentation, though with no luck finding how to enable API

to search for places in a larger search area such as a city and / or a specific area nearby. Is their way to do it?

Any input will support my rational attitude, so I thank everyone in advance for inputting input.