Niantic has announced Pokémon GO! AR+ which leverages Apple’s ARKit framework for more realistic Pokémon encounters.

AR+ is now available in Pokémon GO!

Trainers, Get ready for even more realistic Pokémon encounters: AR+ is coming to Pokémon GO! AR+ leverages Apple’s ARKit framework to build on the AR work already implemented in Pokémon GO. Soon, Trainers around the world running iOS 11 on iPhone 6s and newer models can experience AR+ in Pokémon GO.

Scale: With AR+, Pokémon are now fixed to a point in space, meaning you can walk up close to a Pokémon to see to how they’ll look in the real world. Imagine looking up at a massive Onix or walking around a gigantic Snorlax blocking your path! This feature brings us one step closer to truly realizing Pokémon the way they are supposed to be represented in the real world. Pokémon GO AR photos will never be the same again!

Awareness: Pokémon will run away if they become aware of the Trainers getting close, so be careful. You can sneak up close to earn an Expert Handler bonus, but think twice before running right up to that Charizard! You’ll need to be extra cautious so you don’t scare it away. An awareness meter will appear next to the Pokémon, and if the meter fills up, the Pokémon will flee. If it does, you can try tapping on the tall grass nearby, which may cause the Pokémon to reappear and give you an additional chance to catch it.

Expert Handler Bonus: Think you have what it takes to be an expert Pokémon handler? While in AR+ mode, you’ll finally have the chance to prove it! If you’re able to catch a Pokémon while in close proximity, you’ll have a better chance at earning Great and Excellent Throw bonuses, as well as an all-new Expert Handler bonus that awards even more XP and Stardust.


This is our first step toward making AR capabilities in Pokémon GO even more awesome, opening up the framework for greater AR experiences in the future. As you explore your local neighborhoods, remember to share your AR+ photos of your encounters on social media with the hashtag #PokemonGOarplus. And be sure to always stay aware of your surroundings and make sure you’re safe while in AR+ mode. We'd love to see all of your new adventures as they unfold.

Source: https://pokemongolive.com/en/post/arplus

The Pokémon Company International announced a new app for iPad and Android devices called Pokémon Playhouse aimed at kids 3 to 5 years old. The iOS version of the app requires iOS version 7.0 or later and a compatible with iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. The Android version of the app requires Android 3.0 and up and a compatible device. Images from the press release have been added to an Imageboard thread.

Welcome to the Pokémon Playhouse!

A new app for iPad and Android devices that’s full of fun and exploration for early Pokémon fans.

Discover fun activities throughout the Pokémon Playhouse, an official Pokémon app for younger Pokémon fans, available for iPad and Android devices. In the Pokémon Playhouse, meet cute Pokémon and explore various areas, including the Tower, the Lounge, and the Playground. Every location within the Pokémon Playhouse features activities created just for younger Pokémon fans, such as taking care of your Pokémon in the Pokémon Grooming activity or identifying Pokémon in the night sky in the Search the Stars activity. Then head to the Playroom to listen to a story and see the adorable Pokémon go on exciting new adventures.

When they first arrive at the Pokémon Playhouse, visitors will be given a Pokémon Egg to keep track of. As more of the Pokémon Playhouse is explored and activities are completed, the Pokémon Egg will begin to hatch—and eventually reveal a new Pokémon!

Designed for children ages 3–5; no reading or math skills are necessary to complete activities. A friendly human character will host and narrate every aspect of the Pokémon Playhouse.

The Pokémon Playhouse app does not collect any personal information whatsoever and does not include any in-app purchases.

Download the app for free for iPad in the App Store and for Android Devices in Google Play, and let your child start exploring the Pokémon Playhouse today!

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/welcome-to-the-pokemon-playhouse/

Apple App Store Description

In Pokémon Playhouse, your child can interact with all kinds of cute Pokémon as they explore various locations, including a tower, lounge, and outdoor playground. Every location within Pokémon Playhouse features activities created just for younger Pokémon fans, such as taking care of Pokémon in the Pokémon Grooming activity, or identifying Pokémon in the night sky in the Search the Stars activity.

To accompany the unique look of the Pokémon in Pokémon Playhouse, your child can watch them at play in new picture stories. Head to the Playroom to listen to a story and see the adorable Pokémon go on exciting new adventures!

At the beginning of their time in the Pokémon Playhouse, your child will be given a Pokémon Egg to keep track of. As your child explores the Pokémon Playhouse and completes activities, the Pokémon Egg will begin to hatch, and eventually reveal a new Pokémon!

Designed for children ages 3–5, no reading or math skills are necessary to complete activities. A friendly human character will host and narrate all the activities so your child can enjoy every aspect of the Pokémon Playhouse regardless of their learning level.

The Pokémon Playhouse app does not collect any personal information and does not include any in-app purchases.

Welcome to Pokémon Playhouse! - Promotional Video

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smKrpqoDMyE

PIKACHU AND FRIENDS WELCOME PRESCHOOLERS INTO THE WORLD OF POKÉMON WITH NEW POKÉMON PLAYHOUSE APP

Featuring friendship, fun, and nurturing play, new mobile app from The Pokémon Company International is the first-ever digital preschool experience for the Pokémon brand

BELLEVUE, WA – Sept. 21, 2017 – The Pokémon Company International launched Pokémon Playhouse today, an app designed for children between the ages of 3–5 years. The app, which is the first-ever official digital Pokémon experience for preschoolers, is available now on iPhone, iPad, and Android devices as a free download without in-app purchases. In Pokémon Playhouse, aspiring Pokémon Trainers can explore an adorable indoor and outdoor playhouse environment featuring a wide variety of entertaining and engaging activities. As they explore Pokémon Playhouse, preschoolers will encounter cute, never-before-seen expressions of Pokémon such as Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Litten, and Snorlax. The more that young Trainers play, and the more activities they complete, the closer they get to hatching Eggs that feature additional adorable Pokémon to play with and add to their collection. In all, there are over 50 beloved and recognizable Pokémon for young Trainers to discover and engage with.

Every location within Pokémon Playhouse features activities created just for younger Pokémon fans, such as taking care of Pokémon in the Pokémon Grooming activity, or identifying Pokémon in the night sky in the Search the Stars feature. The bond between players and their Pokémon pals can also be strengthened by starting a musical band, feeding them tasty treats, or taking them to an interactive park. Trainers can also develop critical thinking skills by practicing puzzles or engaging in an in-app story time which deepens the backstory of the Pokémon friends in the playhouse. A friendly human character hosts and narrates all the activities so children can enjoy every aspect of Pokémon Playhouse regardless of their learning level.

“The Pokémon brand truly is a property for all ages, and the ability to complete activities with cute new expression of recognizable Pokémon in Pokémon Playhouse offers our youngest fans the opportunity to explore the world of Pokémon in an environment made just for them,” said J.C. Smith, senior director of Consumer Marketing at The Pokémon Company International. “As the popularity of the Pokémon brand continues to grow, we’re thrilled to launch the first-ever Pokémon preschool expression with Pokémon Playhouse, offering parents an age-appropriate and entertaining experience for the littlest Trainers in their family.”

Niantic has announced that Pokémon GO version 0.75.0 for Android and 1.45.0 for iOS is now available to download. In addition, they also announced an Equinox Event where players can earn double Stardust for catching Pokémon and hatching Eggs.

Celebrate the Equinox!

Trainers, With cool autumn nights quickly approaching in the Northern Hemisphere and sunny spring days arriving in the Southern Hemisphere, we thought it would be the perfect time to celebrate the coming equinox with an in-game event. New seasons mean new adventures!

From 1:00 P.M. PDT on September 22 to 1:00 P.M. PDT on October 2, 2017, you’ll have the opportunity to earn double Stardust for catching Pokémon and hatching Eggs as you walk around your neighborhood discovering new sights. While you’re out exploring, be sure to visit your local PokéStops and Gyms to collect special 2 km Eggs that have the opportunity to hatch Pokémon such as Chansey, Mareep, Larvitar, and more. You’ll also be able to get special boxes from the in-game shop that feature items like Lucky Eggs, Lure Modules, and all-new Super Incubators which hatch Eggs 1.5 times quicker!

Registering a new Pokémon to your Pokédex during this limited-time celebration will earn you triple the normal XP. So that makes this a very good time to battle against the Legendary Pokémon originally from the Johto region. Don’t forget that Raikou, Entei, or Suicune will each travel to a new part of the world on September 30, so make sure to battle the Legendary Pokémon currently in your area while you can!

Source: http://pokemongo.nianticlabs.com/en/post/equinox2017

Pokémon GO updated to version 0.75.0 for Android and 1.45.0 for iOS

Trainers, Pokémon GO is in the process of being updated to version 0.75.0 for Android and 1.45.0 for iOS devices. Below are some release notes and comments from our development team.

• Items received from spinning Gym PokéStops and completing Raid Battles are now displayed in the Journal.
• Improved Pokémon Collection screen search functionality enables Trainers to search using “Defender” and “Legendary.”
• Resolved a bug that caused Pikachu hats to disappear from the in-game model and icon.
• Resolved a bug that caused some icons to disappear when scrolling through the Pokédex.
• Various bug fixes and performance updates.

Source: http://pokemongo.nianticlabs.com/en/post/ver-update-091817

The 4.0.2 update for Pokémon Duel brings a lot of new features to the game. Full details are listed in the press release below.

UPDATE BRINGS NEW FEATURES TO POKÉMON DUEL

The Pokémon Company International announced today that an update is now live for Pokémon Duel, an exciting mobile strategy game in which fans deploy digital Pokémon figures and battle based on strategic moves to reach a goal in the opponent’s territory. The game is available for download at no charge on the App Store and on Google Play.

New features include:

• Room match customization: Trainers can define their own match rules
• Halls: Halls have their own set of rules that vary from the regular league match rules and Halls will be periodically rotated
• Team-based matches: Players will be able to periodically join one of three teams during certain events and win rewards based on their team’s performance
• Higher level caps: A new item allows your Pokémon figure’s level cap to be raised from 5 to 10
• Mega Evolutions: Makes your Pokémon figures even more powerful
• Shiny Pokémon: Uniquely colored Pokémon to add to your collection

Android Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.pokemon.pokemoncomaster&hl=en
Apple Store: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/pok%C3%A9mon-duel/id1078819328?mt=8

YouTube - New Ways to Battle in Pokémon Duel!

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVwshFw1rPI

Pokémon GO is in the process of being updated to version 0.73.1 for Android and 1.43.1 for iOS devices. Below are some release notes and comments from the development team.

• Added the ability for Trainers to spin the Photo Disc at a Gym using the Pokémon GO Plus accessory.
• Added the ability to view the number of Trainers entered, and preparing, for a Raid Battle before using a Raid Pass.
• Improved Pokémon Collection screen search functionality by allowing Trainers to search through their Pokémon’s moves using the @ character.
• Resolved a bug which caused the Raid Boss to always break free from the last Premier Ball.
• Resolved a bug that prevented Trainers from seeing they’d received double XP from Raid Battles when using a Lucky Egg.
• Various bug fixes.

Source: http://pokemongolive.com/en/post/ver-update-083017

The Pokémon Company International has announced that Snapchat, the popular image messaging and multimedia mobile application, will have a special Pikachu Lens for a limited time. Snapchat Lenses allow users to add real-time special effects and sounds, in this case with Pikachu's ears and cheeks as the effect. Snapchat is available for Apple iOS and Google Android devices.

Take Pikachu Portraits on Snapchat

A cool Pikachu Lens will be available on Snapchat for only a limited time.

Add the look of Pikachu when you take your next Snapchat selfie with a special Pokémon Lens! Pikachu's ears, nose, and bright-red cheeks will appear over your smiling face when you use this Lens. Then, you can open your mouth to call on Pikachu to join you in the photo! If your device's sound is turned on, you'll hear Pikachu's iconic voice as it jumps onto the screen and strikes a pose. Snap the perfect portrait of you and the famous Pokémon to share!

The Pikachu Lens will be available to Snapchat account holders for only a short while, so get your fill of Pikachu photos while you can. And remember, you must be 13 or older to have a Snapchat account.

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/take-pikachu-portraits-on-snapchat/

Niantic has announced that Pokémon GO has been updated to version 0.69.1 for Android and 1.39.1 for iOS and that the previously announced Pokémon GO Safari Zone Events in Europe have been postponed.

An update on the upcoming Pokémon GO Safari Zone Events in Europe

Trainers, In order to guarantee the best possible gameplay experience for European Trainers, we have decided to postpone the events in Europe scheduled for August 5 (Copenhagen and Prague) and August 12 (Stockholm and Amsterdam) until a date later in the Fall. No other scheduled events are affected including the event scheduled for Yokohama, Japan on August 14 and the events scheduled for September 16 in France, Spain, and Germany.

We apologize for any inconvenience and hope you understand that our priority is to ensure a great experience for Pokémon GO Trainers in Europe and around the world. Trainers that might have questions regarding the Safari Zone events should visit the help center.

As a special surprise, we understand that some Pokémon that are rarely seen in Europe will be appearing soon in certain European cities for a brief time. Keep your eyes peeled!

Stay tuned for more information, we will update you as soon as we have the new dates.

Source: http://pokemongo.nianticlabs.com/en/post/safarizoneupdate

Pokémon GO updated to version 0.69.1 for Android and 1.39.1 for iOS

Trainers, Pokémon GO is in the process of being updated to version 0.69.1 for Android and 1.39.1 for iOS devices. Below are some release notes and comments from our development team.

• Spark has returned to appraise Pokémon for Team Instinct Trainers.
• Resolved a motivation decay bug impacting Pokémon with less than 3000 CP.
• Resolved a bug causing Pokémon GO to freeze after consuming potions too quickly.
• Resolved a bug causing Pokémon GO to freeze after all 6 Pokémon faint during a Raid Battle.
• Resolved an issue causing iPhone 6 devices to crash.

Source: http://pokemongo.nianticlabs.com/en/post/ver-update-072817

Niantic has announced Pokémon GO Adventure Week 2017 which will take place from May 18th, 2017 at 1:00 P.M. PDT until May 25th, 2017 at 1:00 P.M. PDT. Pokémon GO was also updated to version 0.63.1 for Android and 1.33.1 for iOS.

Adventures Await!

Trainers, Back in December, we collectively walked past the equivalent distance of Earth to Pluto and now, we’re on a journey past the edge of the solar system! As of May 11, the Pokémon GO community has traveled more than 15.8 billion kilometers, and more adventures still await…

Pokémon GO was developed for people to easily experience classic Pokémon gameplay on their mobile device and catch Pokémon in the real world. As a result, every day, people around the globe go outside, explore the world around them, make some new memories, and get some exercise along the way. We’d love to honor the memories created so far, and our collective journey yet to come, with the Pokémon GO Adventure Week celebration from 1:00 P.M. PDT on May 18 to 1:00 P.M. PDT on May 25, 2017.

To help you stock up for your upcoming adventure, more items will be awarded from every PokéStop you visit, and Poké Balls will be 50% off in the in-game shop. Your Buddy Pokémon is also in the adventuring spirit and will find Candies four times as fast for the duration of the celebration. Whether you’re exploring your neighborhood or an exotic new location, make sure to watch for Rock-type Pokémon such as Omanyte, Kabuto, and their Evolutions. Keep an eye out—maybe you’ll even spot Aerodactyl!

Last but not least, you'll notice an all-new avatar item has been added to your wardrobe—the Expedition Hat! Once Adventure Week begins, grab your new hat and head out on your journey.

We’re excited to see where Pokémon GO takes you this week. Document your journey with the Pokémon GO AR camera, post your photos on social media using #PokemonGO, and we’ll share some of our favorites on the new Pokémon GO Instagram channel! As you embark on your adventures, remember to always be alert and aware of your surroundings when playing Pokémon GO and be respectful of the communities and locations in which you play.

Source: http://pokemongo.nianticlabs.com/en/post/adventureweek2017

Pokémon GO updated to version 0.63.1 for Android and 1.33.1 for iOS

Trainers, Pokémon GO is in the process of being updated to version 0.63.1 for Android and 1.33.1 for iOS devices. Below are some release notes and comments from our development team.

• Added Brazilian Portuguese language support.
• Tapping on a medal will now show your progress toward the next medal tier.

Niantic has posted the patch notes for Pokémon GO which has been updated to version 0.61.0 for Android and 1.31.0 for iOS.

Pokémon GO updated to version 0.61.0 for Android and 1.31.0 for iOS

Trainers, Pokémon GO is in the process of being updated to version 0.61.0 for Android and 1.31.0 for iOS devices. Below are some release notes and comments from our development team.

• Added Traditional Chinese language support.
• Updated the Pokémon collection screen scroll bar.
• Various bug fixes.
• Minor text fixes.

Source: http://pokemongo.nianticlabs.com/en/post/ver-update-040617

Niantic has announced a special Water Festival for Pokémon GO that will take place from March 22nd, 2017 until March 29th, 2017. Full details were announced in their press release.

Make a Splash, Trainers!

Trainers, Get ready to make some waves in Pokémon GO! There’s a global Water Festival in progress, and Magikarp, Squirtle, Totodile, and friends are looking forward to celebrating with you! Starting today at 1 P.M. PDT, you’ll be more likely to encounter Magikarp, Squirtle, Totodile, and their Evolutions all around the world. Additionally, when you’re out exploring areas where Water-type Pokémon more commonly appear, you’ll have a greater chance to encounter several of the Water-type Pokémon originally discovered in the Johto region, and maybe... you might even encounter Lapras.

Also, starting later today, you’ll notice a new avatar wardrobe item—the Magikarp Hat!

The Pokémon GO Water Festival is a limited-time celebration and will come to an end on March 29, 2017, at 1 P.M. PDT, so get outside and GO catch some Water-type Pokémon!

Source: http://pokemongo.nianticlabs.com/en/post/waterfestival2017