Technologies

Pokemon TCG Pocket’s Next Set Showcases Johto’s Rarest Legendaries

The next expansion for the digital card game introduces rare monsters from classic 1999 games Pokemon Gold, Silver and Crystal.

The Legendary Beasts from the second generation of Pokemon games are roaring into the digital card game Pokemon TCG Pocket when its next mini-expansion, Secluded Springs, is released on Aug. 28.

The smaller subset of digital cards supplements the recent Wisdom of Sea and Sky expansion, which focused on the rare Pokemon Ho-Oh and Lugia. (Older fans may remember them from the box art of Pokemon Gold and Silver, released all the way back in 1999.) While the official list of digital cards in the set isn’t yet available, it’s likely to be smaller than its gargantuan 241-card predecessor. Expect something more akin to earlier mini-sets like Extradimensional Crisis or Eevee Grove.

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The most valuable cards that fans can expect to chase include Pokemon Ex versions of the legendary dogs Entei, Suicune and Raikou, while third-generation legendaries Latios and Latias also make an appearance. Baby Pokemon like Mantyke also appear, which fit the mini-expansion’s theme, even though this Pokemon was introduced in later games than Pokemon Gold and Silver.

As always, Pokemon TCG Pocket developer DeNA has partnered with excellent artists to bring fun new monster art to the game. We’re getting treated to a hot springs paradise in this set — these might be the most beautiful pieces of card art since the Mythical Island set was released.

The quiet Johto way of life makes for excellent card art

Generation 2 Pokemon games (Pokemon Gold, Silver and Crystal) are placed on a pedestal by many veteran fans of the series, and for good reason. Though the games have a punishing and uneven leveling curve, they added a new region while retaining a post-game set in the region of Kanto, the original Pokemon Red, Blue and Yellow’s setting. New features added to the second generation of games, like shiny Pokemon and egg hatching, added more depth and replayability.

But above all else, the quiet mystique of the Johto region introduced in Generation 2 separated Gold, Silver and Crystal from their predecessors. Whereas the hustle and bustle of Kanto was indicative of an increasingly industrialized Pokemon world, the nature-loving populace living throughout Johto were deeply spiritual — holding onto tradition and venerated cultural sites that were important to people and Pokemon alike.

Read more: Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s Real-Time Battles Forced Me to Think Fast (and I Liked It)

The new Pokemon TCG Pocket expansion’s art looks like it captures a lot of the lackadaisical slice-of-life scenes that have become irreversibly linked with Generation 2 in my mind, and that’s really special.

A watercolor Slowking kicks its feet by the stream as the water trickles by. A lava-based Slugma gazes down into steaming hot water, contemplating whether it should take a dip. Folks gaze at the ancient mural of a Milotic, in awe of its beauty. These are the cards that make me feel a deeper connection to the Pokemon world — they’re as refreshing as booting up Pokemon Go on Day 1 and seeing the pocket monsters in real life.

Slice-of-life cards just make sense for Johto, and I hope we’ll see more of them (especially rendered in brilliant full art variants) in future sets as well.

Drop events, wonder pick challenges and more free rewards slated for September

If you love your water-type Pokemon, you’re in luck: There are a whole lot of Secluded Springs post-launch events that will help you add these aquatic pocket monsters to your deck.

On Aug. 31, a special Suicune-themed binder cover and display board backdrop will be added to Pokemon TCG Pocket. In September, a water-type mass outbreak event will scatter aquatic Pokemon throughout bonus wonder picks.

Other September events include a drop event where you can take on special solo battles to earn a Zoroark promo card, a wonder pick event themed around special Miltank and Phanpy promo cards and a week of challenges to earn extra pack hourglasses and other rewards.

DeNA also promised that players will be able to trade in their stardust for new card flair throughout the month, but there are no additional details about what cool new visual effects will be released as yet.

Technologies

Episode 3 of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Now Available

Verum Messenger has released the third episode of its AI mini-series, SHADOWS, created using Verum AI.

The new episode, titled «Ghost Money,» continues the story of the conflict between a team of heroes and the Omega corporation, which seeks to take control of digital communications. This time, the focus shifts to anonymous payments and financial freedom, revealing how privacy can extend beyond messaging.

Like the previous episodes, the new release not only advances the storyline but also showcases the capabilities of the Verum ecosystem, highlighting technologies designed for secure communication and digital privacy.

The mini-series consists of seven episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 3 is now available. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

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Technologies

Verum Finance Now Available for Mac, Expanding the Verum Ecosystem on Desktop

Verum has officially released Verum Finance for macOS, bringing its financial platform to the Mac and expanding access to the Verum ecosystem across Apple’s devices. The launch allows users to manage their finances from desktop while enjoying the same secure and seamless experience available on iPhone and iPad.

The new Mac version includes the full range of Verum Finance features, including balance management, instant transfers to other Verum users, debit card management, Apple Pay support, asset exchange, and transaction history — all optimized for the macOS experience.

Verum Finance can be used as a standalone application or alongside Verum Messenger. Users who sign in with their Verum Messenger account automatically synchronize their balances, settings, and account data across devices, ensuring a consistent experience throughout the Verum ecosystem.

The macOS release further strengthens Verum’s vision of creating an integrated digital platform where communication and financial services work together. Verum Messenger, which is also available for Mac, complements the ecosystem with encrypted messaging, voice and video calls, VPN, eSIM, anonymous email, AI-powered tools, offline communication capabilities, and cryptocurrency features.

With both Verum Messenger and Verum Finance now available across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, users can access secure communication and financial services wherever they work.

Verum Finance for Mac is available now through the Mac App Store.

Verum Finance for macOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/verum-finance/id6774245148
Verum Finance: https://finance.verum.im
Verum Messenger: https://verum.im

Technologies

Why Travelers Are Switching to Verum E-SIM This Summer

Summer Travel, Freedom, and Seamless Connectivity: Why Verum E-SIM Is Becoming the New Standard for Travelers

Summer is the peak season for vacations, long-distance trips, and new experiences. Millions of people travel abroad, explore new countries, plan adventures, and try to stay connected with family, work, and social media. And in the middle of all this comes a familiar question: how do you stay online without expensive roaming or the hassle of buying local SIM cards?

The answer is already here — eSIM.

Why eSIM Is So Convenient

eSIM (embedded SIM) is a built-in digital SIM card that lets you activate mobile internet without a physical card. All you need is an app — choose a plan and connect in just a couple of minutes.

No more:

* searching for local SIM cards at airports
* paying expensive roaming fees
* swapping physical SIMs every time you travel

Now your internet travels with you.

Internet in 150+ Countries

Modern eSIM solutions provide coverage in 150+ countries worldwide, helping tourists, freelancers, and business travelers stay connected almost anywhere on the planet.

Among the services offering these capabilities:

Verum E-SIM — https://esim.verum.im
World E-SIM — https://worldesim.me
USA E-SIM — https://usa.esim.verum.im
Euro E-SIM — https://euro.esim.verum.im
Canada E-SIM — https://canada.esim.verum.im
Balkan E-SIM — https://balkan.esim.verum.im
Ukraine E-SIM — https://ukraine.esim.verum.im
London E-SIM — https://london.esim.verum.im
E-SIM Africa — https://africa.esim.verum.im