By Because pulling an April Fools prank on April 1st would be way too conspicuous, Google is kicking things off a little early this year. In an update to the Google Maps app, Android and iOS users can now search their area for Pokemon, as part of Google’s Maps’ Pokemon Challenge. Let us be clear — this is not a joke.
Okay, so maybe the part in the the video that mentions you can catch Pokemon by snapping them with your phone’s camera. While that would be insanely cool, it’s only that part that’s the joke.
By opening Google Maps, tapping on the search bar and pressing “Start,” you’ll notice the presence of new little critters in your area, more specifically: POKEMON. Tapping on them the little guys will let you catch them, with a total of 150 to catch in all.
To view your Pokedex, tap on the search bar where you’ll see 2 new options at the top: “Return to the Pokemon Lab” and “View Pokedex.” If you’re having trouble finding Pokemon in your area, click on the Pokemon Lab option and you’ll notice the once former Googleplex is teaming with pocket monsters.
It’s a fun little touch, one that takes us right back to the 7th grade. Anyone catch ’em all yet?
I caught a few, wouldn’t it be cool if Nintendo was working with Google on an Android app pertaining to Pokemon?
If you tap your search bar in Google Maps, tap the “Press Start” Selection and the “game” will start.
Augmented reality game built with the Ingress game engine. That would be awesome. Nintendo will never fork over the IP though.
My daughter and I caught all of them in about 3 hours. She loves pokemon so it was a blast for us. =)
Anyone noticed the double-screen Nexus 5 at 1:30?
What is that… Maybe he is just holding two Nexus 5’s together for some reason?
How do you travel to new cities with the app?
Just search for the city name
I’ve been playing since this morning. I got practically all the IT department playing. LoL!!
My manager has like 80+ =.[
I only have about 60. And he just caught another one. A Cofagrigus. Grr!! He cheatin’.
“Your Pokemon brings all the nerds to the yard, and they’re like, ‘You want to trade cards?’ Darn right, I wanna trade cards. I’ll trade this, but not my Charizard.
Pokemon really sucks. Hasn’t been cool since 2001.
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Considering Ingress and Maps I thought this was an instant geocache generator. Still fun though, but I’d prefer the geocache.
nothing for me ……..
Caught ’em all, where’s my prize?
It’s not showing up for me when I tap the search bar…. :-( guess I missed out on the fun