Tag: Smartphones - Page 4
News Pokémon GO's Nearby Tracking Feature Now Live In The UK
Rest of the US and parts of Europe coming shortly, too
Pokémon GO's "Nearby" tracking feature - which replaces the previous tracking element of the app that was turned off a while ago - is now live in the United Kingdom. The feature shows which Pokéstop each monster is closest to, narrowing down your search for rare and elusive 'mon. Niantic has...
Rumour Pokémon GO December Update Might Be A Gen 2 Monster Mash
100 new beasts on the way?
Pokémon GO has seen a few changes of late, with the "nearby" tracking system getting an overhaul, monsters being rebalanced and even the elusive Ditto arriving in the game, but if rumours are to be believed December could have somet
News Niantic Says Thanks With Pokémon GO Double XP And Stardust Event
"What better way to say thank you than to celebrate our community"
Niantic has confirmed today that it is running a special celebration event to say thanks to the millions of people who have downloaded and played Pokémon GO since its launch in July. Between November 23rd and November 30th, players will earn double XP and Stardust: It has been an...
News Pokémon GO Update Appears To Lay Groundwork For Shiny Monsters And The Elusive Ditto
"Minor text fixes" indeed
Pokémon GO was updated over the weekend with what initially appeared to be some relatively minor fixes, but the guys over at The Silph Road have been doing some digging and have discovered some a little more exciting. Despite "minor text fixes" being mentioned in the update notes, it would appear that this new version is...
News Super Mario Run Launch News Triggers Nintendo Share Price Rise
Continues strong share rally in 2016
Yesterday's confirmation of the release date and price of Super Mario Run has caused Nintendo's shares to rise as much as 5.3 percent during the day's trading, eventually closing around 2.78 percent higher at 25,550 yen. The new iOS title - which is c
News Looks Like That Bravely Default Tease Was For A Smartphone Game
Coming next year
Not long ago, we reported that Bravely Default Twitter account had teased news regarding a future instalment in the series, which naturally led to speculation that some kind of sequel might be in development, possibly for the Nintendo Switch. However, it's now been revealed today that the next title in the franchise - and no doubt...
News Pokémon GO Bonuses Increased For Limited Period
More monsters and items to find
The latest update to Pokémon GO has introduced daily bonuses which earn additional XP and stardust for monster captures and extra XP and items at PokéStops. To mark the arrival of this feature, Niantic is enhancing the bonus scheme for a limited period of time: We are excited to let you know that the new daily...
News Spawn Rates Of Pidgeys, Rattatas And Zubats Reduced In Pokémon GO
Thank goodness for that
Niantic has revealed that it has reduced the spawn rate of some of Pokémon GO's more common monsters to increase the chances of players finding other, rarer 'mon. Pidgeys, Rattatas and Zubats are perhaps the most commonly-found monsters in the game, and players have previously complained that they seem to catch very little...
News Huge Miitomo Update Promises Direct Messages, Room Customisation And Sidekick Miis
Show off your style and answer publicly-posted questions, too
The Miitomo update that was teased back in October has been revealed in a little more detail. Once the mandatory updates arrives, you'll be able to send direct messages to people on your friends list. You'll also be able to customize what your room looks like by picking a wallpaper and...
News Pokémon GO's Designer Wants You To Look Up From Your Phone
"It saddens me a bit when I see a lot of hunched over people outside"
The name Dennis Hwang might not mean much to you, but you're almost certain to have seen one of his creations online. Hwang is responsible for many of the amazing "Google Doodles" which have been seen on Google's main page over the years - surely one of the most visited pages on...
News Nintendo Expands Super Mario Run Launch To 150 Countries
Arrives in December on iOS, Android version in development
Nintendo president Tatsumi Kimishima has revealed that Super Mario Run will launch in 150 countries this December rather than 100, as was originally planned. The game will be exclusive to iOS for a limited time. Kimishima also confirmed that the Android version is in active development, but...
News Japan’s Financial Services Agency Considering Regulation For Pokémon GO's PokéCoins
Could mean big changes for "free to play" gaming in general
Microtransactions are commonplace in many "free to play" smartphone titles, including Pokémon GO. However, the amazing success of Niantic's title has attracted the attention of Japan's Financial Services Agency, which is apparently considering regulation for the app's in-game currency,...
News New Pokémon GO Update Appears To Disable Spawns And Sightings When Travelling At High Speed
Impacts Pokémon GO Plus, too
The most recent Pokémon GO update introduced catch bonuses and better gym training opportunities, but it appears to have introduced a less welcome alteration - the app is effectively useless when used in a moving vehicle. Forbes has reported tha
News Super Mario Run Notification Sign Ups Reach 20 Million
Mushroom for excitement
Apple's Tim Cook has revealed that the forthcoming smartphone title Super Mario Run has already clocked up over 20 million notification sign ups. Those 20 million individuals have registered via the iOS App Store to receive a notification as soon as Nintendo's latest mobile title goes live. While that figure is obviously not...
News PokeLand Legends Reminds You Of Just How Shameless Some Developers Can Be
Developer, use replicate!
The success of Pokémon GO was always going to lead to imitators, but few are as blatant as PokeLand Legends (also known as Game of Monster: Legacy), a game which doesn't even try to hide the fact that it's ripping off the world famous franchise. Available on iOS and Android, PokeLand Legends involves catching monsters and...
News Latest Pokémon GO Update Brings Catch Bonus, Updated Gym Training And Other Fixes
Rolling out on Android and iOS now
Pokémon GO has been updated to version 0.41.2 on Android and 1.11.2 on iOS. This update includes the recently-announced Catch Bonus and Gym Training updates, as well as several other fixes and improvements elsewhere in the game. Here's the full change log: Catch Bonus: Trainers can earn a catch bon
Weirdness British Pokémon GO Player Strolled Right Into Stranger's House Looking For Monsters
I know something about opening windows and doors
Pokémon GO continues to generate some of the strangest news stories around, with the latest offering involving a complaint to police that a player had simply walked right into someone's house in search of rare 'mon. According to the BBC, the player entered a property in Norwich, UK and when...
News Forthcoming Pokémon GO Update Will Introduce Capture Rate Bonuses
Earn medals, catch that rare monster
Niantic has teased some information regarding a new feature which is currently in development for Pokémon GO. A new "Capture Bonus" system will make it easier to snag that rare 'mon, and is all based around type. Catching several different monsters of the same type will earn you medals, which will in turn grant...
Random Google Teases Smartphone Reveal With Zelda: Majora's Mask Reference
And triggers speculation of Nintendo and Google hook-up, of course
It's no secret that a lot of people who work in the tech industry are also pretty passionate gamers - the two go hand-in-hand for many people. Taking this into account, it shouldn't come as a massive shock to learn that one of Google's staffers is a big Zelda fan. So big in fact that...
News Pokémon GO Creator Niantic Taken To Court Over Beach Mobs
"We had no other choice"
Dutch authorities are taking Pokémon GO creator Niantic to court after the popularity of the game has caused hordes of players to descend on protected beaches at Kijkduin, South Holland in the Netherlands. Dubbed the Pokémon capital of the Netherlands, Kijkduin is home to many rare 'mon and this has predictably led to...
News Reports Suggest Pokémon GO's Rare Spawning Nests Have Been Totally Randomised
Don't worry, you'll still get lots of Pidgeys
It would seem that Pokémon GO's "spawn nests" have been entirely randomised for rare 'mon. Reports are appearing online that Niantic has changed things up for hard-to-find monsters, deviating from its previous approach of simply switching one type for another at predetermined spawn locations...
Weirdness "Lapras Panic" Grips Tokyo After Rare Pokémon GO Sighting
In hot water
Police had to be summoned to deal with a massive crowd of Pokémon GO players following a Lapras sighting in Tokyo's Odaiba district. Reports of the monster's existence caused hordes of players to descend on the location, with many spilling onto the road and causing a safety hazard. Some have even gone as far as to name the event...
News Livestreamed Mugging Highlights The Dangers Of Playing Pokémon GO Late At Night
Warning: distressing footage contained within
Pokémon GO has enraptured millions, generated plenty of cash for the companies involved and encouraged plenty of players to get on their feet in search of monsters. However, it's worth noting that despite the promise of elusive beasts and the obvious health benefits involved, there are risks worth...
News One-On-One Battles Could Come To Pokémon GO In The Future
"It's probably something that will make its way onto our roadmap"
Pokémon GO developer Niantic has already promised more updates to the core app - including the ability to trade monsters with other players - but studio CEO John Hanke has revealed that one-on-one battles may also be featured in the future. Speaking at TechCrunch Disrupt
News Pokémon GO "Pretty Likely" To Come To Android Wear As Well As Apple Watch, Says Niantic CEO
"We’ll look into supporting those, too"
Apple made quite a splash the other week when it revealed that its Apple Watch wearable will be getting a special version of Pokémon GO. Many assumed that this new app would be exclusive to Apple devices, but that doesn't seem to be the case. John Hanke, CEO of Niantic, has revealed in an interview with...
Random Walking 10km With Pikachu As Your Buddy Creates A Stronger Bond In Pokémon GO
Just like Ash!
Pokémon GO's latest update introduces the Buddy system, which has to rank as one of the most significant changes since the title launched a few months ago. Using this system, you can assign a 'mon as your buddy and they will walk alongside you, earning candies as they go. This new mechanic also introduces a cool Easter Egg which...
News Nintendo Is Interested In Bringing amiibo Support To Smartphones
"We might have an opportunity to use that"
Nintendo could extend the reach of its amiibo range by making the NFC toys compatible with smartphones, Shigeru Miyamoto has hinted. Speaking to IGN after appearing on stage at the recent Apple conference - where he announced Super Mario Run - Miyamoto said: There's nothing we can announce today but It's...
News Nintendo And DeNA Experience Share Price Jumps In Light Of Super Mario Run Announcement
18 and 21 percent respectively
Yesterday, Nintendo caused quite a stir by confirming Super Mario Run for iOS devices at Apple's yearly conference. Unsurprisingly, the news triggered Nintendo's share price to leap sharply, rising as high as 18 percent before settling down to a still-remarkable 11 percent at the end of the trading day. DeNA - the...
News Niantic Already Working On New Apps As Pokémon GO Passes The $440 Million Mark
"We have some projects that are in the early stages now"
Niantic has gone from being a near-unknown to one of the most famous developers on the planet thanks to the astonishing success of Pokémon GO, the monster-catching smartphone app which the company developed in conjunction with The Pokémon Company. Niantic's previous release, Ingress, laid...
News Pokémon GO's Success Has Convinced Sony To Perform About-Face On Mobile Gaming
"Pokémon GO is a real game-changer"
Sony boss Kaz Hirai has revealed that the incredible success of Pokémon GO has encouraged the company to reassess its stance in the smartphone gaming arena. Sony's ambitious PlayStation Mobile platform was put out to pasture last year after failing to find lasting success, but Hirai has told
News Niantic Is Lifting Some Pokémon GO Account Bans
"Our main priority is to provide a fair, fun, and legitimate experience"
In the past few weeks we've seen Pokémon GO developer Niantic drop the ban hammer on some accounts due to the use of tools which make it easier to locate monsters and gain an advantage over rival players. Some of these bans are the result of players using seemingly innocent...
News Pokémon GO Player Aims For Million XP In 24 Hours, Unwittingly Triggers Anti-Cheat Mechanism
"Games are meant to be played, and in my opinion played well"
The topic of cheating in Pokémon GO has been a hot one over the past week or so as Niantic attempts to deal with the hordes of players who are seeking a means of getting an unfair advantage in the game, but it would seem that the automatic measures put in place by the developer can be a...
News Pokémon GO Player Apparently Gets Belgium's Biggest Mobile Network Banned
UPDATE: Ban now lifted, Proximus confirms "security" issue was to blame
Update: It would seem that the ban has been lifted this morning, with Proximus confirming that a security issue was indeed to blame. Original story: Niantic has been stepping up its game when it comes to banning people in Pokémon GO. It would seem there are quite a few ways...
News Italian Bishop Likens Pokémon GO To Nazism, Claims It Turns Players Into "Walking Dead"
App has "alienated thousands and thousands of young people"
Pokémon GO may have captured the hearts and minds of millions of players all over the globe, but like so many elements of popular culture - and the Pokémon craze in general, it should be remembered - it hasn't made fans of everyone. Agence France-Presse reports that Antonio Stagliano,
News Niantic Is Dropping The Ban Hammer On Pokémon GO Players Who "Cheat"
"Your account has been terminated"
Like any game that becomes stupidly popular, Pokémon GO has seen its fair share of "cheaters" - people who use shady measures to get an unfair advantage over others. In Pokémon GO's case, this includes faking your location to rake in items and capture Pokémon, using third-party trackers to pinpoint certain...
News Work For Volkswagen? Better Delete Pokémon GO From Your Phone
The only bug you're going to catch is the Beetle
Yesterday we reported on the news that people working inside The Pentagon have been instructed not to play Pokémon GO due to security concerns, and today we've got another sad tale - German automobile maker Volkswagen has told 70,000 of its staff that they have to delete the game from their phones...
News Pokémon GO Predicted To Make More Than One Billion Dollars Worldwide In 2016
Could exceed global box-office for 2016’s highest-grossing film
While there are a great many people out there hoping that the Pokémon GO bubble is about to burst, the figures indicate that is unlikely to happen any time soon.
News United States Department Of Defense Bans Pokémon GO At The Pentagon
"Poses a potential a security risk", apparently
Pokémon GO's hold on mobile phone users shows little sign of weakening, so much so that workers at the Pentagon are being told they're not allowed to use the app when on the premises. The move follows concerns that the game could potentially used to spy on activities within the facility, which houses...
News Pokémon GO Players Told To Steer Clear Of Japanese Nuclear Disaster Zone
Strangely evolved Pokémon discovered at Fukushima plant
Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings has requested that Pokémon GO developer Niantic remove the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant from its database after discovering that the app spawns Pokémon on the site. The plant was partially destroyed by a nuclear reactor meltdown in March 2011,...
Guide Building The Perfect Team In Pokémon GO
The best monsters rated by attack, defense and stamina
If you've spent the past few weeks catching Pokémon, grabbing items and evolving your brood in Pokémon GO, then you'll no doubt be keen to fine-tune your team in order to take down some local gyms. That means building the perfect fighting unit of monsters with a mixture of high attack (or CP)...
News Android Wear Users Can Now Get Pokémon GO Notifications Direct To Their Wrists
Who needs the Pokémon GO Plus, right?
While the rest of the world waits for the arrival of the Pokémon GO Plus device, those who own an Android Wear smartwatch can now keep their phones in their pockets while they hunt for Pokémon out and about. A new smartwatch app called PokéDetector has been released which tracks any nearby monsters and...
News Pokémon GO Has Surpassed 75 Million Downloads Worldwide
How far will it go?
Pokémon GO has been out on the market for several weeks now, and it seems like the hype surrounding the game is finally starting to cool off somewhat. Of course, that's not to say that it will be fading away anytime soon; in fact, it seems like things will only continue to get better from here. The game's meteoric rise to the...
News Niantic Reveals What's Next For Pokémon GO
PokéCenters, trading and a fix for the "three step" bug all on the way
Pokémon GO developer Niantic held a special panel regarding the game at the recent San Diego Comic-Con where it not only lifted the lid on the identities of the three team leaders but also outlined future plans for the game. Niantic CEO John Hanke claimed that only around 10...
News Here Are Your Pokémon GO Team Leaders
Which one did you pledge allegiance to?
When you reach level 5 in Pokémon GO you've given the opportunity to select which of the three teams you'd like to pledge your allegiance to: Valor, Mystic or Instinct. This choice has serious consequences as it determines whether or not you have to fight for local gyms or add your strength to them if...
News Hollywood Director Oliver Stone Brands Pokémon GO "Surveillance Capitalism"
"It's not really funny"
Pokémon GO may have ensnared millions of players with its monster-catching gameplay but not everyone is a fan, it would seem. Hollywood director Oliver Stone - famous for such critically-acclaimed movies such as JFK, Platoon and Nixon - has been speaking about the game at this year's Comic-Con, and he's clearly a little...
Video Here's The Cheapest Way To Play Pokémon GO
Get smartphone ready for just $99 / £60
Some people out there may have resisted the Pokémon GO craze because the game simply doesn't appeal to them or they'd rather not walk around the streets in the dead of night searching for elusive Squirtles, but for others the barrier to entry is a technological one; despite their ubiquitous nature, not...
News Say Hello To The Site Which Lets You Find Rare Monsters Near You In Pokémon GO
Cheating or taking a shortcut?
Finding rare beasts in Pokémon GO is often a matter of trial and error, as you only have a very narrow view of the world around you and can't "see" where monsters are expected to spawn. However, a group of fans have used the game's API to create a site which shows the locations of nearby monsters and even goes as far...
Guide How To Use Niantic's Ingress App To Discover Rare Pokémon In Pokémon GO
Better connected
Pokémon GO is proving to be quite popular in the world of smartphone gaming, and with good reason - it successfully combines location-based gaming with the thrill of hunting those iconic 'mon. However, the title hasn't become a global smash hit without having a solid foundation, and Pokémon GO owes a massive debt to fellow...
News Pokémon GO To Arrive In Japan Tomorrow Along With McDonald's Gym Sponsorship
3000 outlets included, global launch mooted
TechCrunch is reporting that Pokémon GO will be coming to Japan tomorrow alongside a special sponsorship deal which will see 3000 McDonald's outlets transformed into gyms within the game. This report flies in the face of the official line from developer Niantic, which has previously stated that the app...
Video Watch Pokémon GO Mania Unfold In New York City
It's an apokélypse!
It might seem like a bit of overstatement to say that Pokémon GO has become a worldwide phenomenon, but with each passing day it feels like a modern day Beatlemania (can we coin the phrase Pokémania?). YouTuber Alexander Steinberg has attempted to document this ever-growing craze as many hundreds of Pokémon Trainers gathered...
