Even though the Oculus Go doesn't support Bluetooth headphones natively, you can still make your AirPods work with it!

I've been having a blast playing with Oculus Go since it launched, but one thing I'm disappointed in is the lack of support for Bluetooth headphones. I mean, I've got these fantastic AirPods and really want to use them in VR.

There is a way to use AirPods, or any Bluetooth connected headphones, with Oculus Go, even though it doesn't support it natively. You'll need a Bluetooth Audio Transmitter with a 3.5mm headphone jack.

I don't like the idea of taping or otherwise mounting things to my expensive gadgets. After doing a bit of research, I found a number of adapters that don't have lengthy cables attached to them. I chose the Noland Tx 3.5mm Bluetooth Wireless Audio Transmitter Adapter for its features. You can pick one up on Amazon for about $35.

See at Amazon

A note on audio quality when using AirPods with Oculus Go

It wouldn't be fair of me to tell you all about how to pair your AirPods with your Oculus Go without first mentioning that audio quality suffers significantly when using this method.

There is definite and noticeable static as soon as you connect AirPods to your Oculus Go, even before any audio playback starts.

That being said, I didn't notice any audio distortion when using my SteelSeries Artis 3 Bluetooth headphones.

Here's how I got my AirPods to work with Oculus Go.

• Disconnect your AirPods from your iPhone before you begin
• How to pair your AirPods with a wireless audio transmitter
• How to pair standard Bluetooth headphones with a wireless audio transmitter
• Troubleshooting AirPod pairing issues with Oculus Go

Disconnect your AirPods from your iPhone before you begin

Though it's not always necessary, it's a good idea to make sure your AirPods aren't going to automatically connect with any nearby devices, even after it goes into pairing mode.

I disconnected my AirPods from my iPhone, but didn't need to disconnect them from my Mac or iPad devices.

Disconnecting your AirPods from your iPhone just make it easier to troubleshoot any issues you'll probably come across when trying to pair them with your Oculus Go.

How to pair your AirPods with a wireless audio transmitter

The first thing you'll want to do is ensure that the wireless transmitter is on and ready to pair with your AirPods.

This is different with different models, but usually a device is in pairing mode when it's status light starts to blink. It might be green, blue, red, or orange, but it usually blinks in a specific pattern to let you know its ready to pair.

The next thing you'll do is press the pairing button on your AirPods' charging case until the status light turns white and starts pulsing. Of course, your AirPods should be in the charging case.

If they've paired correctly, your Bluetooth transmitter will probably stop blinking and either switch to a pulsing light, turn a solid color, or will stop glowing entirely.

Your AirPods status light will also go from blinking white to either orange for charging or green for fully charged.

If everything was done correctly, you can connect the Bluetooth wireless transmitter to your Oculus Go's 3.5mm headphone jack and then put your AirPods in. You'll hear the Oculus Go audio come through the in-ear speakers.

How to pair standard Bluetooth headphones with a wireless audio transmitter

It's actually quite a bit easier to pair a standard set of Bluetooth headphones than it is to pair AirPods with a wireless audio transmitter. You don't have to worry about disconnecting from your iPhone or any other issues that seems to come up when trying to pair AirPods with non-Apple gadgets.

The first thing you'll want to do is ensure that the wireless transmitter is on and ready to pair with your Bluetooth headphones.

This is different with different models, but usually a device is in pairing mode when it's status light starts to blink. It might be green, blue, red, or orange, but it usually blinks in a specific pattern to let you know its ready to pair.

The next thing you'll do is press and hold the pairing button on your Bluetooth headphones until they enter pairing mode, too. Similar to the transmitter, pairing mode is usually identified by a blinking status light in blue or some other color. Some headphones also send out an audio beep to help clarify that they are in pairing mode.

The lights on both the transmitter and headphones will switch to their designated status of connected, which could be a pulsing light, a solid glowing light, or will stop glowing entirely.

If everything was done correctly, you can connect the Bluetooth wireless transmitter to your Oculus Go's 3.5mm headphone jack and then put your Bluetooth headphones on. You'll hear the Oculus Go audio come through the headphone speakers.

Troubleshooting AirPod pairing issues with Oculus Go

Pairing your AirPods with an Apple device is a pleasant experience. Pairing your AirPods with anything else can be a real pain if something goes wrong.

The first time I paired my Airpods with my Oculus Go, it worked perfectly. The second and third times, I had a few pairing problems. Here's what I did.

• Make sure your AirPods are disconnected from your iPhone - As I noted before, this step could make or break a solid pairing. It's not always necessary, but it helps clear the AirPods if there's any problems connecting.
• Make sure the transmitter is fully charged - If the transmitter's power is low, it might have trouble pairing with your AirPods.
• Turn the transmitter off and on again - I had to do this a number of times to reset its pairing mode. This actually seems to be the main action that fixed my pairing issues.
• Reset the AirPods - If you still have issues pairing to the transmitter, you can reset your AirPods so they disconnect from all of your Apple devices by pressing and holding the pairing button for 15 seconds. The status light will turn orange and back to white.
• Test the transmitter with a standard pair of Bluetooth headphones - Check that your transmitter isn't broken by following the pairing instructions for a standard pair of headphones. If there's a problem, you can send back the transmitter and try a different one.

Any questions?

Do you have any questions about how to pair Bluetooth headphones to your Oculus Go or about my experience with an audio transmitter? Put them in the comments and I'll answer them for you.

Adventure Week starts now, Alolan Forms coming soon, next Community Day is Larvitar, and Go Fest is a go for June!

Alolan forms of Pokémon originally discovered in the Kanto region coming to Pokémon Go over the next few weeks!

Pokémon Go is intended to get you out and about, both on your own and with family and friends. One of the ways Pokémon Go tries to bolster activity is with events. Some of the events get splashy announcements and coincide with big public holidays. Others are quieter and more regular. Here's what's happened already and what's coming up next.

Upcoming Pokémon Go Events: Safari Zone bringing Unown and Corsola to Dortmund, Germany

Looks like Corsola will be taking a vacation in Germany this summer.

From Pokémon Go:

Pokémon GO Summer Tour 2018 kicks off in lush Westfalenpark as we host a Safari Zone event supported by the City of Dortmund in Germany! Trainers of all ages will be able to explore natural features and catch a wide variety of Pokémon, including some that do not often appear in Europe. Travel through one of Europe's largest inner-city parks and experience the multifaceted history of the Ruhr region within the city of Dortmund from June 30 to July 1!

Westfalenpark is one of the largest inner-city parks in Europe, and it includes elaborate water features, a Japanese garden, and large playgrounds for kids and families. Lure Modules will be activated all day on the PokéStops throughout Westfalenpark, and special 2 km Eggs will be available when you spin their Photo Discs. As you walk through the area, Pokémon such as Unown and Corsola will appear in the wild, offering a chance to catch them.

Plus, activities will expand to Dortmund's entire city district, inviting players from all over Europe to explore the city's cultural history through Pokémon GO. There will be no raids or Gyms inside Westfalenpark, but nearby areas will hold even more adventure for those keen to battle powerful Raid Bosses.

In addition to increased Pokémon appearances and some special surprises along the way, this Safari Zone will include other activities Trainers can participate in. If you need a rest from adventuring, team-themed lounges will be available, where you'll find mobile phone charging stations and opportunities to refuel with snacks and drinks. Pokémon GO giveaways will be conducted throughout the event, and Trainers will be able to participate in a huge group photo on both days. There will also be plenty of photo opportunities to get snapshots with your favorite Pokémon, and Pikachu will be in the park for a special photo opportunity!

This is a free event to be enjoyed by all Trainers on a first-come, first-served basis, so make plans early to ensure you obtain transportation and accommodations for the event. More details are available on the events website. And don't forget to share your plans with us using #SafariZoneDortmund on all your social channels. We can't wait to see you there!

Current Pokémon Go Events: Adventure Week brings Rock-types out to the play until June 5

Pokémon Go's second annual Adventure Week has begun!

From Pokémon Go:

Adventurous new research is on tap during an exciting in-game celebration! Starting on May 24 at 1:00 P.M. PDT, unique Field Research will be available with some exciting rewards, including a Raid Battle appearance by Pokémon such as Aerodactyl.

Throughout the celebration, Rock-type Pokémon such as Geodude, Lileep, and Nosepass will appear more frequently in the wild. There are also incentives to trek around: your Buddy Pokémon will earn Candy 4× faster throughout the event! Plus, you'll receive extra XP for spinning the Photo Discs at PokéStops or Gyms—up to 10 times the usual amount if this is your first time encountering a unique PokéStop or Gym!

Fortune favors the bold, Trainers, so join this adventure before it ends on June 5. Get up and GO!

Upcoming Pokémon Go Event: Alolan Forms coming soon!

Whoa. Didn't see this coming.

From Pokémon Go:

Sunny days are ahead! Whether your forecast calls for rain or shine, we're celebrating all around the world by introducing some special Pokémon from the tropical Alola region to Pokémon GO. Get ready for some of the Pokémon originally discovered in the Kanto region to appear in their Alolan forms! These unique variants were first seen in the Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon video games, and they will make their way to Pokémon GO in the coming weeks. Keep an eye out for news related to this exciting change—and don't forget to tell your friends! Stay safe, and happy exploring!

So. Many. Questions. This is essentially jumping ahead a few generations. But is it in lieu of Gen 4 coming at roughly the same pace as Gen 2 and Gen 3 did? Or is it an acceleration of pace with some in-between cross-gen fun?

More here:

Pokémon Go Alolan Form Guide: What you need to know

Upcoming Pokémon Go Event: Community Day, June 16

Pokémon Go's next Community Day event will be held on June 16, 2018. No word yet on the Pokémon, the special move, or the extra bonuses, but we should find out soon!

Current Pokémon Go Event: Ho-Oh joins Latias and Latios in Legendary Raids until June 7!

If you missed out on catching the Leader of the Legendary Beasts, you've now got another chance to get your Ho-Oh on!

From Pokémon Go

Get ready for a surprise: The Legendary Pokémon Ho-Oh will return to Raid Battles in Pokémon GO on May 19! A powerful Fire- and Flying-type Pokémon originally discovered in the Johto region, the Rainbow Pokémon Ho-Oh will appear in Gyms across the globe alongside Latias and Latios, which will remain in their designated regions. Plus, if you're fortunate, you might be able to encounter a Shiny Ho-Oh after you win the battle! You can challenge Ho-Oh until June 7 and seize the opportunity to add this Legendary Pokémon to your Pokédex. So, gather your strongest party to take on Ho-Oh before it returns to the skies!

That's right, Shiny Ho-Oh, and when it's Shiny, it's got a 100% catch-rate.

Of course, it adds the usual uncertainty over which Tier 5 Egg will hatch which Legendary, and that can make it harder to get organized and get people out for one or the other Raids. So, not everyone is going to be happy about it. We'll have to wait and see.

Upcoming Pokémon Go Events: Get Pumped Up for Pokémon GO Summer Tour 2018!

Update: Tickets for Pokémon Go Fest are on sale as of 9am PT / 12pm ET, May 11, 2018. (So, basically now):

• Pokémon Go Fest Chicago 2018

New events have just been announced for North America, Europe, and Asia. From Pokémon Go:

Our biggest North American event is back with a brand-new look! Pokémon GO Fest returns to Chicago from July 14 to July 15. Pokémon GO Fest 2018: A Walk in the Park will offer a unique, immersive play experience unseen anywhere else that will create a daylong adventure for Trainers. The event will be held in the city's historic Lincoln Park, with a 1.8-mile walking course that, among the tree-lined greenery, will include exclusive activities for Trainers of all ages. Single-day passes go on sale on May 11 for $20 on our event website. Also, check the event website for details on hotel accommodations and stay tuned for more details.

For Europe:

Trainers across Europe: Get ready for a Safari Zone event in Dortmund, Germany. Together with the city of Dortmund, we will host an event from June 30 to July 1 in beautiful Westfalenpark. Westfalenpark is not only one of the largest inner-city parks in Europe but also includes elaborate water features, a Japanese garden, and large playgrounds for kids and families. Enjoy the fresh air and beautiful view while catching many types of Pokémon! Activities will expand to Dortmund's entire city district, inviting players from all over Europe to explore the city's cultural history through Pokémon GO. This is an open event for all to enjoy, so book your travel and accommodations soon! For detailed information on the Dortmund Safari Zone Event, please visit the event website.

And for Asia:

We've been so inspired by the spirit and dedication of Trainers who have come to our events throughout Asia. From Tottori to Seoul to Chiayi, we've been lucky to see hundreds of thousands of Trainers coming together to view breathtaking scenery, catch many types of Pokémon, and enjoy a unique real-world experience. We'll have a Safari Zone event in Yokosuka, Japan, later this Summer, to be followed by an exciting schedule for our Trainers across Asia. Keep an eye out for more details on these events!

For those who can't make the events:

If you're unable to make it to one of our live events this summer, there are still plenty of amazing ways to participate in the action. Trainers across the globe will be able to engage in a variety of activities and challenges, so you'll be able to take part no matter where you are. Announcements on these features will be forthcoming, so watch out for more news! We invite you to join us on an adventure—even from your hometown.

Should be a fun summer!

Current Pokémon Go Events: Latias and Latios Legendary Raids until June 5! (And they've just switched places!)

May 8, 2018 Update: Latias is now live in North America, South America, and Africa, and Latios has moved on to Europe and Asia.

The Eon Duo is here! Generation 3's Psychic- Dragon-types, Latias and Latios have arrived in Raids.

From Pokémon Go:

The Legendary Pokémon Latias will appear in Raid Battles across Europe and Asia, while Latios will appear in North America, South America, and Africa. On May 8, the Eon Pokémon will switch locations and will be available until June 5, so all Trainers will have the opportunity to catch both powerful Pokémon.

Happy Raiding!

Upcoming Pokémon Go Event: Adventure Week returns this month!

Pokémon Go has sent out an email, "breaking" the news:

One of our most successful events last year, Adventure Week, returns again this month! Gear up for exciting new bonuses and special activities to get you in the adventuring spirit! Also, don't forget to check this monthly newsletter for the latest sneak peeks of what's coming up on our calendar! You never know what you'll find...

Last year, during the first Adventure Week, Rock-type Pokémon spawned at a higher rate, Buddy candy accrued at 4x the usual speed, Poké Balls were 50% off in the shop, and extra items were dropped at PokéStops.

Upcoming Pokémon Go Events: Community Day on May 17, 2018, will feature... Charmander!

Pokémon Go's next Community Day, according to information posted on the Japanese website, is scheduled for May 17, 2018. The featured Pokémon will be Gen 1's Fire-starter: Charmander! There'll be 3-hour Lures, as usual, and the bonus will be 3x stardust on catches. No word yet on special moves.

Charmander evolves into Charmeleon which evolves into Charizard. And, if Pokémon Go keeps up it's Shiny tradition for May, that means Black Charizard. Oh. My.

Times remain the same:

• Asia-Pacific: 12:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. JST (GMT +9)
• Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India: 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. UTC (GMT +0)
• Americas and Greenland: 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. PST (GMT -8) / 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. EST (GMT -5)

Read the Pokémon Go Community Day Guide

Upcoming Pokémon Go Events: 2018 will be a Legendary Year

From The Pokémon Company:

The Pokémon Company International today announced plans to celebrate a legendary year in 2018, highlighting some of the most sought-after Pokémon yet to be discovered. From February to November, Legendary Pokémon will be featured across the franchise, including monthly video game character distributions, new Pokémon Trading Card Game products, mobile game retail and animation promotions.

Legendary Pokémon are extremely rare and powerful Pokémon, which exist across all regions of the Pokémon universe. Often elusive and incredibly hard to catch, Legendary Pokémon hold the answers to Pokémon lore and are deeply rooted to the regions from which they originate. Fans can learn more about these Pokémon at https://ift.tt/2mMyt6D

As to Pokémon Go specifically:

Pokémon GO players can also expect to see special promotions featuring Legendary Pokémon in 2018 as part of this legendary year celebration, with details being released soon.

Now we just have to wait and see when and how this Legendary Year manifests itself in Pokémon Go!

2018 Pokémon Go Events: The potentials!

Based on past events, there are a few guesses we can make about future events. First, regional holidays don't mean regional events. Halloween isn't an internationally observed occasion but the event was worldwide. U.S. Thanksgiving is only celebrated in the U.S., and while it was an event in 2016 it gave way to the Global Catch Challenge in 2017.

Also, Pokémon Go has multiple levers to pull. The game can increase rewards, like candy, XP, and stardust. It can decrease requirements, like walking distance. It can increase spawn rates for all or specific Pokémon, like pink colored Pokémon or water-types, and create limited edition Pokémon just for events, like Party Hat Pikachu. It can also give away items or increase their duration, like 1-use Incubators or 8-hour Lures.

Pokémon Go can have events to aid in charitable causes, like the highly localized tsunami-relief event in Japan that featured Lapras or Snorlax exclusively for a week. There was also an event simply to promote the new streaks and bonuses. So, if they want to maintain momentum and there's too long a gap between proper occasions, Pokémon Go can invent their own.

You know what they say, though: The best indicator of future (Pokémon Go) events is...

Past Pokémon Go Events

The best indicator of future behavior is past behavior. So, to look forward to the next Pokémon Go events, it's helpful to look back at the events that have already run.

Special Battle Showdown 2018

Are you tough enough? Fighting-type Pokémon take the spotlight and step into the ring for a Battle Showdown! https://t.co/C1Bos4DfQn pic.twitter.com/T1lbMS2r8i

— Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) May 1, 2018

In addition to Fighting-type Pokémon taking over, battling got a big boost with 2x XP for Gym and Raid battles, 3,000 Stardust a 1 Rare Candy minimums, extra items from Gym spins.

Earth Day Event 2018

Trainers, because more than 4,000 of you attended and cleaned up trash on #EarthDay, you've unlocked 3× Stardust when catching Ground-, Water-, and Grass-type Pokémon. And because of the great impact you've all made, we've extended the rewards to last through April 30, 2018. pic.twitter.com/h4pO3IBdjA

— Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) April 23, 2018

Earth Day came again and this time, Ground-, Water-, and Grass-type Pokémon got a boost — and so did Stardust.

Kanto Event 2018

Trainers, the appearance of the Mythical Pokémon Mew has attracted Pokémon that were originally discovered in the Kanto region. See these Pokémon appear in the wild more frequently until April 17! https://t.co/SucQfPEP9K pic.twitter.com/5jAYnrwc8D

— Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) April 10, 2018

In honor of Mew finally making its appearance in-game, Pokémon Go hosted its first generation-themed event: A celebration of the Kanto Region, and all the Pokémon of Gen 1. In addition to increased Kanto spawns and Kanto-region Raid Bosses, double candy was awarded for every in-game action.

Eggstravaganza 2018

Trainers, which Pokémon will you be powering up this week with the double Stardust and bonus Candy from the Pokémon GO Eggstravaganza event? https://t.co/LleeLjqSRn pic.twitter.com/0OcYxBCA6n

— Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) March 28, 2018

The 2018 version of Pokémon Go's spring/Easter event, called Eggstravaganza, offered 2 KM eggs containing all the Pokémon typically found in 10 KM and 5 KM eggs, an increase in babies (and some new Shiny babies!), bonus Candy for egg hatches, and double Stardust for the duration.

Pokémon Go Community Days

Pokémon Go is holding off a series of monthly community events where trainers around the world are able to catch Pokémon with exclusive moves for extra XP or Stardust, and with Lures that last three hours.

Previous Community Days have featured:

• May 19, 2018: 11am to 2pm PT: Charmander, evolve Charizard with Blast Burn, increased chance to catch (the newly added) Shiny Charmander, 3x catch Stardust.
• April 15, 2018; 11am to 2pm PT: Mareep, evolve Ampharos with Dragon Pulse, increased chance to catch (the newly added) Shiny Mareep, 1/4 walking distance for Eggs.
• March 25, 2018: 11am to 2pm PT: Bulbasaur, evolve Venusaur with Frenzy Plant, increased chance to catch (the newly added) Shiny Bulbasaur, 3x XP for catches.
• February 24, 2018: 11am to 2pm PT: Dratini, evolve Dragonite with Draco Meteor, increased chance to catch (the newly added) Shiny Dratini, 3x Stardust on catches.
• January 20, 2018, 11am to 2pm PT: Pikachu with Surf, increased chance to catch Shiny Pikachu, 2x XP.

Windy Weather Wins 2018

The Pokémon GO forecast calls for Pokémon that prefer windy weather to hatch more often from Eggs starting March 5! Plus, enjoy wind-themed Raid Battles and double XP until March 16. https://t.co/bBWcABncQl pic.twitter.com/bMFzNKOdUB

— Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) March 5, 2018

Windy Weather — which empowers Dragon-, Flying-, and Psychic-type Pokémon — got a boost for a week and a half in March of 2018. That included not only Pokémon Eggs but Raid Bosses. Oh, and double XP. Yeah.

Pokémon Go Lunar New Year Event 2018

Feeling lucky? Starting today until February 17, Trainers who catch a Poochyena, Growlithe, Snubbull, Eevee, or Electrike will receive bonus Stardust. Happy #LunarNewYear! pic.twitter.com/FqaVsO65b3

— Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) February 15, 2018

Shiny Poochyena as well! But, yhy was Houndour left out?

Pokémon Go Valentines Day Event 2018

Happy Valentines, Trainers! Until February 15, schools of Luvdisc will be out swimming and awarding 3x Stardust for each one caught. #PokemonGOValentines❤️ pic.twitter.com/awxBGLPxcd

— Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) February 13, 2018

Chansey as well. Not as big or long a deal as last year's Pink Pokémon event, but don't look a gift 3x heart 'mon in the mouth. Or something like that. Also: Shiny Luvdisc!

Hoenn Egg Event

Pokémon Go held a Hoenn Egg Event from January 24 to February 1, 2018.

Get hatching, Trainers. For a limited time, every Egg you hatch will feature a Pokémon originally discovered in the Hoenn region. pic.twitter.com/WOWdLzyPpj

— Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) January 24, 2018

Pokémon Go Holiday & New Year 2018 Event

Celebrate the holiday season with festive Pikachu, Ice-types, Gen 3 Water- and Ice-types, free incubators, special boxes, Star Pieces, and AR+ for iPhone!

Pokémon Go Travel and the Global Catch Challenge 2017

Instead of a U.S. Thanksgiving event in 2017, Pokémon Go went international with a Global Catch Challenge. Pokémon Go trainers around the world caught over 3 billion Pokemon, unlocking Double XP, Double Stardust, Kangaskhan in Asia, and Farfetch'd in the rest of the world!

Pokémon Go Halloween Event 2017

Pokémon Go's second Halloween event included increased Ghost-type spawns, just like last year, and also some Dark-types from Gen 2. More exciting, the Gen 3 Ghosts debuted during the event. There was also double candy and a special witch-hat Pichu and Pikachu.

Pokémon Go Halloween 2017 Event Guide

Pokémon Go Safari Zones Europe 2017

The Pokémon Go Safari Zones gave people in several major European cities the chance to catch Kangaskhan and Unown spelling E U R O P E.

Pokémon Autumnal Equinox Event 2017

Running from September 22 to October 3, the Autumnal Equinox event offered double stardust and special 2KM eggs for your hatching delight. Super incubators, which hatched 1.5x faster were available in the Pokémon Go Store, and triple XP for any new Pokémon added to your Pokédex.

Pokémon World Championships 2017

As part of the Pokémon Trading Card Game and Video Game World Championships on August 19 and 20 in Anaheim, California, Pokémon Go players in the vicinity had a chance to catch Kangaskhan — usually regional to Australia — and Unown spelling WORLDS.

European Sightings 2017

Safari Zones Europe might was drastically downscaled but Niantic made it up to players with European sightings instead. Similar to what happened with Pokémon Go Fest Chicago, an extra-continental legendary — in this case Kangaskhan — and Unown spelling out the location — in this case Europe — were being spotted.

Locations included:

• Vienna, Austria
• Prague, Czech Republic
• Copenhagen, Denmark
• Helsinki, Finland
• Dijon, France
• Lille, France
• Lyon, France
• Marseille, France
• Nice, France
• Paris, France
• Rennes, France
• Berlin, Germany
• Bochum, Germany
• Gera, Germany
• Leipzig, Germany
• Mönchengladbach, Germany
• Munich, Germany
• Oberhausen, Germany
• Recklinghausen, Germany
• Milan, Italy
• Naples, Italy
• Rome, Italy
• Oslo, Norway
• Warsaw, Poland
• Lisbon, Portugal
• Bratislava, Slovakia
• Badajoz, Spain
• Barcelona, Spain
• Cádiz, Spain
• Madrid, Spain
• Sevilla, Spain
• San Sebastián, Spain
• Valencia, Spain
• Valladolid, Spain
• Stockholm, Sweden
• Zürich, Switzerland
• Almere, The Netherlands
• Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• Leidschendam, The Netherlands
• Zoetermeer, The Netherlands
• Belfast, United Kingdom
• Birmingham, United Kingdom
• Cardiff, United Kingdom
• Glasgow, United Kingdom
• London, United Kingdom
• Manchester, United Kingdom

Pikachu Outbreak Japan 2017

As part of Pokémon's Pikachu Outbreak celebration in Japan, Pokémon Go brought Mr. Mine over for a short amount of time, increased spawns for Unown letters spelling Yokohama, added rare spawns from 2K eggs, introduced Shiny Pichu, Pikachu, and Raichu, and unleashed the very first Mewtwo Legendary Raids: with 9+ hour times, 50+ premiere balls, and... a guaranteed catch rate of 100% — at least for the event.

Pokémon Go Fest Chicago Bonus Event 2017

Following up on Pokémon Go Fest Chicago, a slew of bonuses were unlocked, including:

• Double Stardust
• Double Candy
• Double XP
• Increased Pokémon encounters
• Reduced hatching distance
• Reduced buddy distance

Hopefully, we won't have to wait another year for that many bonuses again.

More on Pokémon Go Fest Chicago.

Pokémon Go Fest Chicago

Pokémon Go Fest Chicago was the first major real-world event for Niantic's incredibly popular augmented reality, geo-hunting game. It took place Saturday, July 22, at Grant Park in Chicago, IL, and — the servers crashed and burned.

Still, Pokémon Go made good with refunds, $100 in Poké Coins, and a Lugia for every participant, as well as a 100% catch rate for Legendary Raids around the venue.

More on Pokémon Go Fest Chicago.

Pokémon Go Anniversary Event

Pokémon Go's Anniversary Event ran from July 6 to July 24 with a special Ash-hat Pikachu for players to catch in the wild and discounted Anniversary Boxes and Special Boxes to buy in the Poké Shop. The first Box was underwhelming but the second set delivered.

Pokémon Go Solstice fire- and ice-type event

From June 13 to 21, 2017 (extended a day due to Pokémon Trainer Club (PTC) login issues, Pokémon Go held and event of Ice- and Fire in honor of the summer soultice in the north and the winter solstice in the south. In addition to extra fire- and ice-type spawns, there was 5x XP on hatching eggs, 3x XP on catching Pokémon, and 50% off Lucky Eggs in the Poké Shop.

More on thePokémon Go solstice Ice- and Fire-type event

Pokémon Go Adventure Week rock-type event

Pokémon Go had a rock-type event, called Adventure Week, from May 18 to May 25, 2017. During the event, rock-type Pokémon spawned at a higher rate, Buddy candy accrued at 4x the usual speed, Poké Balls were 50% off in the shop, and extra items were dropped at PokéStops!

More on the Pokémon Go Adventure Week Rock-type Event

PokémonGo Worldwide Bloom Event 2017 (Grass-type)

Pokémon Go held a worldwide bloom event from May 5 to May 8, 2017. During the event, grass-type Pokémon spawns were increased and Lures lasted for six hours.

More on the Pokémon Go grass event

Pokémon Go "Golden Week" Lure Event at McDonald's Japan

Pokémon Go held a Lure Event for "Golden Week" in Japan, from April 29 to May 7, 2017.

4月29日(土)から5月7日(日)の期間、国内のマクドナルド約2,500店舗の「ポケストップ」に花びらが舞い、ポケモンをたくさんゲットできる「ルアーモジュールコラボイベント」が開催されます！GOルデンウィークはマクドナルドへGO！ pic.twitter.com/IL7qv9Hjlz

— Pokémon GO Japan (@PokemonGOAppJP) April 28, 2017

Rough translation, cleaned up from Google:

During the period from Saturday, April 29 to Sunday, May 7, the petals will dance at PokéStops located at about 2,500 local MacDonald's. The "Lure module collaboration event" will be held so that you can get a lot of Pokemon! GO Golden Week goes to McDonald's GO!

Unlike the American Thanksgiving event, which was made international, this event was Japan-only, with McDonald's Japan footing the bill.

Pokémon Go and Knight Foundation on May 7, 2017

Niantic, the developer behind Pokémon Go and Ingress, and the Knight Foundation, and organization focused on community engagement, announced an ongoing partnership that hopes to use location and augmented-reality based gaming to help bring neighborhoods and neighbors together.

The first event was set for May 7 in Charlotte, North Carolina, as part of the Open Streets 704 event in a 2.5-mile area. 16 PokéStops and two Gyms, selected by the City of Charlotte at significant sites along the route, were offer increased spawns to help make it exciting and engaging for everyone.

There are some reports that the event wasn't well organized and that many weren't pleased the only thing they got for participating was a set of stickers. Others seem to have really liked it. Either way, I hope we see many more of these, and like these, going forward.

Pokémon Go 'Eggstravaganza' Spring Event 2017

The Pokémon Go Spring Even lasted from April 13 to April 20, 2017. During the event, you got double XP, extra candy from egg hatches, and many 5 KM and 10 KM Pokémon began hatching from 2 KM eggs, including Lapras and Aerodactyl. Lucky Eggs were also offered at 50% in the Pokémon Go Shop.

More on the Pokémon Go Spring / Easter Event

Pokémon Go Water Festival 2017

The Pokémon Go Water Festival was done to help raise awareness for various global water days and weeks. During the festival, water-type Pokémon spawned at a much-increased rate, often replacing the typical common and rare spawns almost completely. And yes, that included Lapras!

In addition, a Magikarp hat was made available for trainers to wear, and Shiny Pokémon were introduced into Pokémon Go for the first time in the form of gold Magikarp and red Gyarados.

More on the Pokémon Go Water Festival Event

More on Shiny Pokémon in Pokémon Go

Pokémon Go Snorlax in Japan Event 2017

Similar to last fall's Lapras event, Japan's Kumamoto region is getting a Snorlax event to help bolster tourism following the earthquake of 2016.

熊本県全域、及び大分県由布市、別府市で、カビゴンが現れやすくなるとの情報が届きました。ポケモンのふえに起こされたのでしょうか？この現象は3/4から3/13まで続くようです！現地は復興作業が続いている地域、場所がございます。危険な場所には立ち入らず、熊本、大分を楽しんでくださいね！ pic.twitter.com/24SbqeLuOI

— Pokémon GO Japan (@PokemonGOAppJP) March 2, 2017

Here's an approximate translation:

We've received information that in the Kumamoto prefecture and in Oita prefecture, Yufu city and Beppu city, Snorlax has begun appearing more frequently. Was it roused by the Pokémon flute? The phenomenon is expected to continue from March 4 to March 13. There are areas and places where local reconstruction work is continuing. Do not enter a dangerous place. Otherwise, please enjoy Kumamoto and Oita!

If you're in Japan or have wanted to go to Japan, and Snorlax is still on your must-get list, now's the time to go!

Pokémon Day from February 26 to March 6, 2017

The Pokémon Day event saw Pokémon Go join the larger festivities by offering a special, limited edition Pikachu in a festive hat that could be caught from February 26 at 1:00 p.m. PST to March 6 at 1:00 p.m. PST.

More on the Pokémon Day event and Party Hat Pikachu

Pokémon Go Valentine's Day Event 2017

Pokémon Go ran a Valentine's Day event for a whole week! That's right, from February 8 to February 15, 2017.

During the Valentine's event there was double candy, half walking distances, increased spawning rates for pink Pokémon, and Lures that lasted six hours.

More about the Pokémon Go Valentine's event

Pokémon Go Holiday & New Year Events 2016/2017

The Pokémon Go Holiday & New Year Events overlapped, the holiday part running from December 25 through January 3, 2017 and the New Year part, December 30 through January 8.

During the holiday part, it offered and increased spawn rate for limited-time Santa Pikachu, an increased chances of hatching Gen 2 babies Cleffa, Igglybuff, Togepi, Smoochum, Elekid, or Magby, and a free 1-time Incubator from the first PokéStop spin of the day.

During the New Year part, it offered Increased spawn rate for Gen 1 Starter Pokémon and their evolutions, Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur, Charmander, Charmeleon, Charizard, Squirtle, Wartortle, and Blastoise, and Lures lasting twice as long.

More about the Pokémon Go Holiday and New Year Events

Pokémon Go Thanksgiving Event 2016

The Pokémon Go Thanksgiving Event ran from November 23rd through November 30th. It offered Double XP and Stardust for catching, hatching, and evolving Pokémon.

More about the Pokémon Go Thanksgiving Event

Pokémon Go Lapras in Japan Event 2016

From November 11 to November 23, 2016, Pokémon Go made Lapras easier to find in the Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima Prefectures of Japan. It was an attempt to help bring tourism back to the region following the earthquake earlier in the year.

皆さんにお知らせです。岩手県、宮城県、福島県の沿岸部でラプラスが出現しやすくなっていることが確認されました。この現象は11/23まで続くようです。東北の今を感じる旅に是非おでかけください！きっとPokémon GO以外でも素敵な発見がたくさんあると思います。 pic.twitter.com/1VPBngRU6v

— Pokémon GO Japan (@PokemonGOAppJP) November 11, 2016

Rough translation:

Listen up everyone! It has been confirmed that Lapras is now easier to find in the coastal regions of Iwata, Miyagi, and Fukushima Prefectures. The phenomenon will continue until November 23. Please go out and journey in Tohoku! There are many wonderful discoveries to be made beyond Pokémon Go.

Pokémon Go Halloween Event 2016

The Pokémon Go Halloween Event ran from October 26 through November 1. It offered double candy for catching, hatching, and transferring Pokémon, and cut the distance for walking Buddy Pokémon down to 1/4. Increased spawn rates were also offered for Zubat, Golbat, Drowzee, Hypno, Gastly, Haunter, Gengar, Cubone, Marowak, Meowth, and Persian.

More about the Pokémon Go Halloween Event

What Pokémon Go events do you want to see?

If you were planning the next big Pokémon Go event, when would you have it and how would you handle it?

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In anticipation of the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple has updated its apps so you can catch all the announcements you care about.

Looking for a way to tune into the coming week's WWDC keynotes so you can get your Apple announcement fix? You're in luck! Today, the tech colossus has officially updated its Apple Events app for fourth- and fifth-generation Apple TV ahead of the approaching conference. Now, when you go to open the app, you'll see the telltale sleek, snow-white visual theme of this year's WWDC artwork, including an updated home screen icon. There hasn't been any change in the functionality of the app, however.

• Apple Events - Free - Download now

For those of you not already in the know, the event will run Monday, June 4, 2018 through Friday, June 8, 2018 at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California. It will commence at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, so if you live outside of that area, you're going to need to calculate your local time so you don't miss anything.

In addition to the Apple TV app, Apple's dedicated events page has also been updated to reflect the impending conference. If you don't own an Apple TV (or just don't want to mess with the Apple Events app), you can also stream the event live by tapping that link day-of.

If you'd like to know more about how we're prepping for WWDC and our theories regarding the event, give the pieces below a glance and check back for further updates!

• WWDC 2018 Preview: What to expect from Apple's biggest show of the year!
• Apple rumors: What's coming next!
• What's coming next for iCloud at WWDC 2018?
• What's in Lory's WWDC 2018 gear bag?
• Apple once again offering 60-minute studio reservations for podcasters at WWDC 2018

Thoughts?

Are you going to tune in for WWDC? Let us know in the comments!

Getting through school is hard, especially college. All that effort deserves some kind of reward. We know it can sometimes be difficult to navigate the world of online shopping. iMore is here to help. We're constantly scouring the internet, testing products, and figuring out our absolute favorite Apple and related products so you can find the perfect gift for the recent graduate in your life!

iPhone 8 Plus

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AirPods

Apple's AirPods are unique in that they instantly connect to your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and more thanks to the W1 chip inside. You can also trigger Siri for a little help with your listening activities and use touch-based gestures to control playback. If the recent graduate in your life doesn't like in-ear headphones, try Beats Solo3 for on-ear style or Beats Studio3 for over-the-ear listening.

$159 Buy Now

Apple Smart Battery Case

Make it through the night and into the next morning with Apple's Smart Battery Case. Thanks to its unique integration, it packs more charging power into less bulk than any other other case, and that's invaluable for a long plane ride or day's travel when you don't have your charger on hand.

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