Pokemon Go on my Tablet

Pokemon Go is an AR app recently released for iOS and Android that's causing quite a stir among Pokemon fans and newbies alike.  The app uses the GPS and pedometer on a smart device to dictate where Pokemon are located and the player swipe his or her screen to launch a Pokeball to try and catch a Pokemon.  The game is limited to the original 151 Pokemon, but Niantic promises subsequent generations in later updates.

I was part of the beta testing last month.  I don't have a smartphone, but I do have an Android tablet and was able to give the app a spin and then play the full version when it came out.  Being able to catch a Pokemon on my smart device brought back the same thrills I felt as a middle schooler catching Pokemon on my copy of Pokemon Blue back in the day.  To the point, I felt a bit sheepish when I realied that I couldn't hold the B button and tap A to try and increase my chances of a successful catch.

One day, I took out the trash and decided to see what kind of Pokemon I might see.  So with garbage bag in one hand and tablet in the other, I headed out on a mini adventure.  However, as soon as I got to my dumpster, I was out of my WiFi network's range.  Being on a tablet as opposed to a smartphone, unfortunately, has a huge catch: The game depends on a constant source of data in order to keep track of where you are and what Pokemon you might see.  Long story short: no data (WiFi or otherwise), no signal, no Pokemon.

Most of my Pokemon catching is either here at home or at public WiFi spots (McDonalds, et cetera), so my level progression has been very slow.  All the same, I still think this is a great app.  One of the things the game encourages players to do is go out and explore their area, discovering Pokestops.  These are places where players can pick up items, but in real life, they are public buildings, art institutions, et cetera.  Just sitting from my apartment, I've learned about a bunch of little public works of art that I would have never discovered on my own.  Being able to catch Pokemon is a bonus for me.

Pokemon Go on the tablet loses a lot of its appeal (exploration, et cetera) when you're anchored to a WiFi connection.  All the same, I am enjoying my time playing Pokemon on my tablet and learning about the place I've called home for seven years.  When Miyamoto developed Zelda, he was inspired by his time exploring his boyhood home and looking for secrets (Zelda has been an inspiration for me to go out and explore the world).  I'm planning on getting a smartphone in the next month or so.  I'll be able to give Pokemon Go a worthwhile spin when that happens and discover more of the unique side of Eugene.  :)