Pokemon Go Moves to your Wrist

Pokemon Go is still a thing, although how much of a 'thing' it still is could be debated. It's certainly not the super-hit it once was, but the people who are still playing it now are likely the devoted fans who will carry it well beyond the point where its a fad. And if even 10 percent of the original fans are engaged with the software, well, that still makes it a massive product that deserves attention.

Well, with the year winding down, I have some exciting news for those fans: Pokemon Go is coming to your wrist!

Namely, the Pokemon Go Plus accessory is finally being released, and will be let loose around most of the world (not the whole world, Niantic are working on it) on September 16th. This special clip will not only identify you as a Pokemon Go player to other fans and muggers, but it will also let you visit Pokestops and even catch Pokemon without having to take your phone out. When the bracelet vibrates and flashes, it means you're close to a Pokestop, and you can click it to get all those sweet items and exp. Likewise, when it flashes and vibrates, it also means a Pokemon is nearby (hopefully there's some distinction between the two), and you can click the plus to capture the Pokemon. From there, you can see what Pokemon you got when you crack open your app again.

There's still some nuance to the product, like if there's a way to tell between Pokemon and Poke-stops, or if you're guaranteed to catch Pokemon you encounter using the device, but considering we've been waiting for this since before the game came out, it's still pretty good to see it finally being released: it seems like a far more convenient way to crush Instinct.

But there's more: not only is the Pokemon Go bracelet coming out, but Pokemon Go will also be coming to the Apple Watch, albeit slightly dumbed down. While more functional and detailed than the accessory's two-button functions, the Apple Watch app will still need to make some small concessions to compensate for the smaller screen, and will display nearby Pokémon, warn players of nearby Pokemon, and let them hatch eggs. Pretty neat, huh?

The companion app won't be released until around the Holiday season, but hopefully by then, people will still be willing to brave the winter cold to catch that wild Pikachu.

So, Pokemon Go is changing, growing, and slimming down... enough to return the app to its former glory? Probably not, but it might help those who are still here stick around.