Update: Pokémon Go Plus release date revealed. What you need to know about the Pokémon Go accessory as it gets set to launch alongside the Apple Watch Series 2.
Addicted to Pokémon Go? So are we. Sick and tired of having to strap battery packs to your phone? That also sounds familiar, but fear not – the long-awaited Pokémon Go Plus watch could be the answer to all your troubles. When it finally arrives…
Nintendo made the surprise announcement that Pokémon Go would be getting a wearable accessory via a live stream at E3, but given the general frenzy around the mobile game, we now want to know more about the next big development in the Pokéverse and an answer to the big question: is the Pokémon Go Plus ever actually going to hit the wild?
Here’s everything you need to know about the Pokémon Go Plus in the UK.
Watch: Pokémon Go tips and tricks
Pokémon Go Plus Release Date – When can I buy a Pokémon Go Plus?
You’ve been able to buy one for a while, or rather, Nintendo has been happy to take your hard-earned cash and promise to send you one at some point.
It looks like the long wait is finally over, though, as Nintendo has updated its site to confirm that the accessory will go on sale on the September 16.
The news follows Nintendo’s high-profile slot at the recent iPhone 7 and Apple Watch Series 2 launch recently.
Of course, it’s still a lot later than the promised release date of July 31 announced at E3 earlier this year, but you can presumably expect any outstanding pre-orders to also start shipping in September.
https://twitter.com/statuses/758180517804175360
Pokémon Go: What’s all this about the Apple Watch Series 2?
Pokémon Go made a surprise appearance at Apple’s iPhone 7 and Apple Watch Series 2 launch event on September 7.
The upshot of it all, other than the fact that even Niantic’s CEO can’t really pronounce Pokémon, is that Nintendo is set to release a companion Pokémon Go app for the new Apple Watch, which will alert you to nearby Pokémon and Pokéstops as well as let you know how far you need to walk to hatch your eggs.
Which is basically what the Pokémon Go Plus is meant to do, though the app will look to really accentuate the game’s fitness angle.
Linking up with the Apple Health app, Pokémon Go on the Apple Watch will be a new way to ‘workout’, with the Series 2’s built-in GPS tracking how much you’ve moved and how many calories you’ve burned, so you can see if catching a Snorlax is deserving of a Flake.
Apple and Niantic reckon that the Pokémon Go Apple Watch app will drop before the end of 2016.
Watch: Apple Watch Series 2 vs Apple Watch
Related: Best free Pokémon Go bots
What is the Pokémon Go Plus?
The Pokémon Go Plus is a handy wearable that connects to your phone via Bluetooth. It’s shaped like the Google Maps locating pin, but splashed with the colours of a Pokéball. Its purpose is to notify Poké-addicts about in-game events.
The small gadget features an LED which flashes when a Pokémon or Pokéstop is nearby, accompanied by a vibration. Better still, if it’s a Pokémon you’ve already caught, you can catch it without having to access your phone – just press the button in the centre of the device.
A monster that would be new to your line-up? Sorry, you’ll still have to get your phone out to snare the critter.
The Pokémon Go Plus can be worn either on your wrist – it comes bundled with a strap – or you can clip it on to your belt, coat, or shirt.
Will it be compatible with my phone?
We now know which phones the accessory will be compatible with.
iPhone compatibility: 5, 5C, 5S, 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, 7 and 7 Plus (and the Apple Watch Series 2)
Android compatibility: Android devices that have 2 GB RAM or more with Android 4.4 – 6.0 installed
Bluetooth Smart (Bluetooth 4.0 or higher) is required to use Pokemon Go Plus.
Watch: iPhone 7 vs 7 Plus
How much does the Pokémon Go Plus cost?
How much will this gem of an accessory set you back? When Nintendo first announced the product, a price of US$35 was attached to it, and that’s still the case – the official UK Nintendo Store lists a price of £34.99.
Related: How to find and catch rare Pokémon in Pokémon Go
Watch: Hands-on with Pokémon Go
Will you be getting a Pokémon Go Plus? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.