With the vast amount of users not only in the United States but also in Europe, Japan and the rest of the world, it would make only sense for Niantic Labs to update their popular successful creation of the adaptation to capturing Pokemon. Since the app came out, many users have been experiencing glitches, bugs and location issues, such as being in a body of water for a user when they are actually on land. With just these issues and many more, Niantic has gone back to the drawing board to update and fix these errors, as well as add new content and in the future, add newer generations of Pokemon (Right now, Pokemon Go only features the first generation of Pokemon in its lineup). Version 0.31.0 will include new features as well, such as being able to have the user re-customize their avatar from the Trainer Profile screen, and adjusted battle move damages for Pokemon when fighting at gyms.
Overall gym animations will be improved as well because some users have complained and been experiencing delayed response times and attack moves to their opponents, as well as not being able to take over the gym because the game glitched after the player defeated the opponent. I have experienced the game crashing when fighting at the gym, so I believe this update will fix it. This fix will probably happen because of the increased and improved memory issues that Niantic has released in their statement of what will be coming in this next update.
One feature that I am not all too happy about is the removal of footprints for nearby Pokemon. This system of footprints and showing what nearby Pokemon are at a certain location is part of what many users have been happy with. It helps them find out where a nearby Pokemon could possibly be, but it is not 100% certain that the Pokemon will be there. Instead of removing the entire concept out of the picture, I feel as though Niantic should work to figure out a system where footprints could be used more as a tool and not as an overall finder of where nearby Pokemon are. Word has not been said yet about what future updates will include for the app (besides trading, which will be in a future update) but Niantic might be working on a better way to find and capture Pokemon.
Rumors have pointed out from the show that a PokeNav may be accessible in the future like in the show and indicate a direction or compass to where new Pokemon are. However, I think this update is a great start for users to know that Niantic will definitely continue supporting this app for many years to come.
