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Pokemon Go finally expands the Nearby tracking feature, rolls out new game update

Published Nov 7th, 2016 6:50AM EST
Pokemon Go Nearby Feature Update
Image: Pokemon Wikia

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Pokemon Go came with a handy Pokemon tracking feature when it launched this summer. But Niantic soon removed the Nearby tracker, prompting a massive wave of backlash from the community. The company did promise that the Nearby functionality would be fixed and returned to players, and it looks like Niantic is getting closer to that goal.

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Niantic explained in a blog post on that a version of the Nearby Pokemon feature is going to be available in other areas in addition to San Francisco, the original testing grounds for the feature.

“[We] will be expanding the ability for Trainers in parts of Arizona, the Seattle area of Washington state, and the rest of the San Francisco Bay area to test this version of the feature,” the company said a few days ago. We’re far from a global rollout.

Niantic on Sunday also announced a new iPhone and Android update for the popular game, which is supposed to bring over various features, including daily bonuses.

Here’s the changelog for Pokemon Go for iPhone (version 1.15.0) and Android (version 0.45.0).

  • You’ll earn bonuses for the first Pokémon catch and PokéStop visit each day. You’ll receive a larger bonus when you do this seven days in a row.
  • When you defeat the Gym Leader at a rival Gym, there will be a brief period of time where only you will be able to place a Pokémon in the open Gym.
  • The amount of Prestige a rival Gym loses when you defeat a regular Gym member has increased. The amount of Prestige gained by training at a friendly Gym has been lowered.
  • Minor text fixes
Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.