Back in September, it was reported that Pokémon GO was coming to the Apple Watch before the year ends, which would make Apple's smartwatch a viable accessory to the massively popular augmented reality mobile game along with the Pokémon GO Plus.
However, with the year soon coming to an end, Apple Watch owners have become concerned that Pokémon GO will not make it to the smartwatch within the year, a fear that was made even worse from an image of an email that started circulating recently online.
Pokémon GO For The Apple Watch Cancelled?
The image of an email, which was supposedly from a representative of developer Niantic Labs, revealed that the "game port" of Pokémon GO for the Apple Watch has been cancelled. The email added that Niantic Labs may revisit the development of Pokémon GO for the Apple Watch if demand for the app increases.
The description of Pokémon GO for the Apple Watch as a port was interesting, as when the app was presented in Apple's September event, it was not a mere port of the app from smartphones but a companion app that provides features such as allowing users to check in at a Pokéstop just by tapping on the smartwatch's screen.
Pokémon GO Still Coming To The Apple Watch
For Apple Watch owners whose hearts sunk when they found out about the email, you would be happy to know that the email was a hoax.
Through the official Pokémon GO Twitter account, Niantic Labs confirmed that the game is still coming to the Apple Watch. The developer also separately sent out statements that the development of Pokémon GO for the Apple Watch is still continuing.
Niantic Labs, however, did not state an expected release date for the Apple Watch version of Pokémon GO, which could hint that the app will not make it for the promised launch of within the year.
Pokémon GO for the Apple Watch, according to sources, is said to still be on track for a 2016 release though, with Niantic Labs now having less than two weeks to get the app out. There is said to be some complexity involved in bringing Pokémon GO to Apple's smartwatch because the app will connect to the Workout system of the Apple Watch, allowing users to achieve their activity goals while hunting for Pokémon, and HealthKit, which will sync all the information. HealthKit, in particular, has several privacy systems involved, which could be what has so far delayed Pokémon GO's release for the Apple Watch.
In any case, the good news is that Pokémon GO is still coming to the Apple Watch, which should calm down users who were rattled by the hoax email.
