AR+ mode brings more accurate positioning to Pokemon GO

Niantic and The Pokémon Company will soon roll out a new update for Pokemon GO. The update will only affect devices running iOS 11 and individual Pokemon will be more accurately positioned based on their surroundings.

Yet another update is about to hit Pokemon GO. The game will soon get an enhanced augmented reality mode. The new feature "builds on core AR gameplay in Pokemon GO and leverages Apple’s ARKit framework to enhance the visuals and dynamics of catching Pokemon in the real world" says the press release. 

Niantic Pokemon GO

If you are an iUser and still play Pokemon GO, you can activate the new AR+ feature while in the encounter mode. After the feature had been activated, individual Pokemon will be more accurately positioned based on their surroundings and environment.

All this is possible because of "the six degrees of freedom the technology provides". Thanks to the new ARKit technology and 3D AR scaling, the Pokemon you encounter will be sized more accurately based on the world around them. As you move closer to them, they will change in perspective and size.

The new AR+ mode will also deliver new gameplay options to Pokemon GO. The Trainers will now be equipped with even more techniques and variations on "throw a Poke Ball - catch a Pokemon".

Niantic Pokemon Go

Since you can now get closer to a Pokemon, you can obtain a special "capture bonus" based on that proximity. Can't get too greedy though as the monsters are like teenage girls at a club: aware of your presence and can choose to run away if you get too close too quickly.

The mechanic will grant certain bonuses to Trainers with an iPhone. The new Expert Handler bonus is the only one mentioned and it provides "more experience and more Stardust". Resaon enough to get an iPhone? Maybe in 2016.