The new craze, PokémonGo, (Pokémon GO by Niantic, Inc. https://appsto.re/us/XnIpbb.i) is really quite something. It's an augmented reality genius firestorm with a geocaching flare. I have to admit, I resisted the hoopla until so many of my parent friends were getting into it & seeing their fun posts of game accomplishments was catching. Their kids would tweet humorously about their folks and...well...Ok, I'm in! This was the first app I've come across that you sign in with a Google email account (specifically), instead of the typical Facebook, Twitter or generic email account. Once in, I created this keechie avatar and away I go.
A few outages made the experience rough at first, but when an app has hundreds of millions globally downloading and playing, at any given time, it's understandable, I suppose.
Essentially, the app uses your smartphone's GPS as you walk and try to locate the Pokémon along your path. Clever way to get me moving! Once a Pokémon is spotted, you swipe your screen to launch a poké ball to capture it. With injuries, plenty of warnings have come out to keep an eye on the landscape for safety, or even more humorously, cautioning not to drive and use the app! Indeed! It's easy to get carried away. There are in-App purchases for a variety things from more poké balls to other what-nots and range from .99¢ to $100s (oh my).
For the most part, I have had fun but several things swayed me otherwise: the app uses quite a bit of your data plan and really drains a battery...big eye-roll. The overwhelming negative, for me, was how intrusive it is. With my gmail account and use of my GPS, it's getting a bit too close for my liking. On the other hand, I'm getting out with family and walking - the other day, over five miles! Felt great and leveled-up while seeing new sights in our community. That's the other thing, you're able to see things that you may never of know existed. The local paper, in an article about the app, said it was drawing people downtown to see and experience the area. Great job! Makes me want to check it out for my self.
I give the app 9 out of 10 stars. Thanks again for getting me moving!
Updated 8/3/2016
