Niantic Labs launched Pokémon Go this month July 6th, 2016. The smartphone game (so far made for iOS and Android devices) is based on the very popular 90’s Japanese cartoon and game Pokémon. No one expected this app to have this much success in such a short time … downloaded about 8 million times in the first few days! Though it is only available in the United States, New Zealand, Australia, Germany and the UK, it is a matter of time before other countries get to join in the fun.

=1= What is the basic game goal?

You first download the app, create your own custom Avatar (that can be fun), and your Avatar shows up on a digital map that is your actual surrounding. It is simple … the goal is to find Pokémon characters and catch them using your smartphone.

Players using Pokémon Go will tell you it is a lot of fun, exciting and yes addictive. Rest assured that it does not require a college degree to play it or even having gone to middle school.

The big thing is that it can use your live camera (yes that could be a privacy risk if someone was to hack Niantic) and places Pokémon characters in various places. There are also PokéStops  which are based on real life locations like a street, a store, your home, etc. There are Pokémon Gyms where one can catch more characters.

=2= What does it mean for businesses?

There are always opportunities for businesses when an app is this successful.

Businesses can request PokéStops  to be showing up in their area and even at their business. The request is easy to make by filling up this form (Important note 07-21-2016: Due to the high volume of requests from businesses the form has been taken down. No news yet from Niantic when it will be back). You would need to know the longitude and latitude of your business brick and mortar location. If you do not know what it is that data can be found on GoogleMap. A business can ask to be showed on the map. If approved, a Pokémon(s) will be there at your business for grab by any players.

By making sure your business shows up it can bring it more exposure at no charge to you. If you have a restaurant and want more traffic, people playing the game may eat at your place just to get that extra Pokémon.

Though you can add your business, you may also request your business to not show up at all. Some places are added automatically but again you can request to have your business removed from the Pokémon map.

=3= Some of the problems:

• The app uses the battery on your phone and, in some casess as much as 50% of your battery usage for the day. Note that there is now Pokémon Go Plus which is a low energy consumption Bluetooth device that the player can wear. It enables the users to play without looking at their actual smartphone.
• It uses your phone data, so unless you have an unlimited data plan with your phone company, you should monitor carefully your data usage.
• The app crashes from time to time due to server overload. Yes too many people are using it at the same time.
• Just like any distracting acts (such as being on the phone, texting, etc.) it can be dangerous. People are using it while driving or walking across the street without looking. Yes they do!
• Bad people have used the app to entice unsuspected players in a specific area to rob them.
• The app accesses information stored on your phone such as:
  • Your camera
  • Your personal details
  • Your email especially if you have a Google account
  • Your GPS aka your exact physical location at that time
  • And more.
• Though Niantic is a legitimate company, hackers could potentially hack their system and access the data … your data! Niantic has already released an update to the app to keep up with security concerns. More updates are expected.
• Some players are showing up on private properties to catch a character. Sometimes groups would show near someone’s home because of the Pokémon up for grab.
• Finally you might have heard it in the news, Pokémon characters are showing up in inappropriate places like cemeteries, Holocaust Museum … places that should be shown respect not be turned into playgrounds.

So much more could be said about Pokémon Go. The Internet is already filled with information about this brand new game. For more information we invite you to search “Pokémon Go” on your favorite search engine.