Pokemon GO Now Has Apple Watch Support

Published: December 23, 2016 10:50 AM /

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Pokemon Go Apple Watch

While the initial buzz has most definitely died down by this point, Niantic labs' AR game Pokemon GO is still chugging along nicely. Over the past few months, Niantic has been tinkering with the game's mechanics and introduced a small number of new Pokemon for players to catch in addition to the (now finally) released support for the Apple Watch.

This new app for the Apple Watch gives you access to some neat features that are just a few taps away. Using the app, players can see nearby Pokemon and read the app's push notifications and grab items from PokeStops without having to fish their phone out of their pocket.

Apple Watch is particularly well suited to Pokémon GO as it seamlessly combines gameplay and imagination with getting exercise and exploring the real world. You can easily interact with Pokémon GO on Apple Watch, using quick taps to discover nearby Pokémon and collect items from PokéStops. Once you encounter a Pokémon, you can catch it from your iPhone. You can log your play sessions through the Apple Watch app as a Workout that will count toward your personal Activity rings, while also counting distance toward hatching Pokémon Eggs.
The app now working in tandem with Apple's proprietary Health app is a nice feature to have if you like to track your daily movements using the Apple Watch. The app also allows you to see how far you have to walk until one of your eggs hatches without having to open the app on your phone first, which should help extend your phone's battery life a fair bit due to you not needing to have the app open on your phone at all times.

The release of the app for the Apple Watch got an official announcement on December 17, shortly after rumors claimed app was going to be shelved by Niantic Labs earlier this month. This rumor started when a Reddit user allegedly got sent an email by a Niantic representative claiming that development of the Apple Watch app was canceled and offered an apology to the player in the form of some free incense. This rumor, of course, turned out to be nothing more than that and players are now able to use the Apple Watch app to play the game.

At this time it's unknown if a version for an Android-compatible smartwatch is being developed.

Have you tried the Apple Watch app for Pokemon GO? What did you think of it? Let us know in the comment section below!

Have a tip, or want to point out something we missed? Leave a Comment or e-mail us at tips@techraptor.net


Chris Anderson
| Staff Writer

I've been playing games since I was just barely able to walk so I might as well write about them.

More Info About This Game
Learn more about Pokemon Go
Game Page Pokemon Go
Developer
Niantic
Publisher
Niantic
Platforms
Android, IOS
Release Date
July 6, 2016 (Calendar)
Purchase (Some links may be affiliated)