Apple Inc. (AAPL) Apple Watch Is Ready for Pokemon Go

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So, you’d like to try this whole Pokemon Go thing, but having to carry around a mobile phone in your hand isn’t convenient enough for you? Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and the app’s creator, Niantic Labs, might have the answer to your prayers.

Pokemon Go Plus on Apple WatchIn an event today dedicated to the iPhone 7 and the Apple Watch, Apple took time out to invite Niantic Labs CEO John Hanke on stage to make the announcement — complete with a Pikachu hatching — that Pokemon Go is coming.

Pokemon Go was a monster hit in App spaces this summer, and it was estimated at ExpandedRamblings.com that in August, more than 10% of all Android devices in the United States had the game installed.

The Verge said that Pokemon Go has been downloaded more than 500 million times so far, and players have logged a combined 4.6 billion kilometers of walking.

Pokemon trainers will not be able to actually catch the creatures on their watches with Pokemon Go — they’ll need their phone for that. Still, the watch app will alert players to nearby Pokemon, allow them to activate Pokestops for free items and count their steps for egg hatching.

Pokemon Go’s Impact on AAPL Stock

The announcement was one of several for the Apple Watch, including that the new Series 2 watch is coming — a watch that will be swim-proof and has a built-in GPS.

So far, all this news isn’t causing much of a move in AAPL stock, which is down 0.4% so far today. On the other hand, Nintendo Co., Ltd (ADR) (OTCMKTS:NTDOY) stock made a sharp climb after the announcement. While Nintendo only has about a 13% stake in the game, more in-app purchases can move the needle for Nintendo a lot more than they can for Apple. After all, while far from their peak, estimates have Pokemon Go‘s daily revenue pegged at about $4 million.

Add in the announcement of Super Mario Run, and this has been a really good event for Nintendo fans.

Still, while this may mean more monetarily for Nintendo than AAPL stock, it’s good to see the Apple Watch getting both new hardware and new software that can make that hardware a lot more appealing.

As of this writing, Jessica Loder had no position in any of the aforementioned securities.

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Article printed from InvestorPlace Media, https://investorplace.com/2016/09/aapl-stock-apple-watch-pokemon-go-plus/.

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