Yelp’s crowdsourcing users for nearby PokéStops

Yelp is cashing in on the popularity of Pokémon Go. The app can now be used by users in the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand to find PokéStops. These stops are real-life locations Pokémon Go players use to get in-game items like Pokéballs and potions to help them advance in the game. Both the mobile and web version of Yelp now has a filter to easily locate these businesses and other spots close to PokéStops. It’s not an official partnership between Niantic Labs and Yelp so they’re asking users to provide information if there’s a PokéStop nearby. But it is a useful feature for avid Pokémon Go players out there. It isn’t available here yet but the launch is so recent here after all. Let’s hope we get the feature soon.

Source: CNET

Niantic Labs and Google are working to fix full account access given to ‘Pokémon Go’

Niantic Labs and Google are working on a fix for the full access permission being asked by Pokémon Go from iOS users using their Google accounts to play the game. Researcher Adam Reeves first caught sight of this issue but may have apparently over-exaggerated the threat and that he didn’t test if the game really did give access to your email and data from Google. Niantic says they only access basic profile information, which include User ID and email, and they’re not accessing any other Google account information. The issue seems to be affecting only iOS players who use their Google account to play the game. According to Niantic, “Google has verified that no other information has been received or accessed by Pokémon GO or Niantic. Google will soon reduce Pokémon GO’s permission to only the basic profile data that Pokémon GO needs, and users do not need to take any actions themselves.”

Source: Recode

Pokémon Go catches all, including your Google account info

News about Pokémon Go has taken over the internet but not all of them is good. A recent discovery by researcher Adam Reeve found that when you sign into the game using your Google account, you give them full access to everything. And it doesn’t even warn you in the sign-in process that you’re doing so (even if that’s what usually happens). It seems to affect both iOS and Android users and what giving full access means is they can do things like read your email, send you email, access your Google Drive documents, see your search and Maps history, view your private photos, etc. It seems to be a major oversight for Niantic Labs and a security risk you might want to look into. For now, what you can do is revoke permissions from this page and you’re signed out. According to The Verge, the app’s functionality isn’t affected. Niantic hasn’t issued a comment on the matter yet.

UPDATE: ‘Pokémon GO’ reportedly goes live on Android & iOS in the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, & Japan

Following closed beta tests, it seems the new Pokémon GO is now live on Android (no updates yet for iOS). But reports have surfaced that it currently only works in the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand. Nintendo's augmented reality-based game has been made in collaboration with Niantic Labs and allows you to collect, train, and battle Pokémon in the real world. It’s a free-to-play game with in-app purchase options as well as a Bluetooth accessory that’ll alert you of Pokémon and let you capture them without bringing out your phone. It may not show up for you yet but with this bit of news swirling around, you should expect to have the app ready for your phone in no time.

Source: 9to5Google + Android Central + Fev Games + GameSpot

UPDATE (as of 9:49 p.m. EDT):

The game is now also live on iOS in the same areas and it's also already available in Japan as well.

Source: Nintendo Insider