Pokémon GO encourages players to walk to catch Pokémon, hatch eggs, claim gyms, and visit PokéStops. But recently, tricks and services have emerged to simplify that requirement. A recent example is the PokeDetector app, which offers a key feature: delivering notifications about nearby Pokémon, so you don't have to keep your smartphone in hand.
Pokémon GO Fever
All eyes are on Pokémon GO, the new king of mobile gaming and augmented reality. Barely three weeks have passed since its official launch (two if you're in Europe), and the capture fever shows no signs of stopping. In fact, the best is yet to come. The initial version focuses only on the original 151 Pokémon, and developers still need to add features like Pokémon trading and PvP battles. Until that happens, players need to walk, conquer gyms, catch everything in their path, and repeat the formula… unless they decide to implement one or two tricks that have appeared on the Web.
PokeDetector: A Shortcut
However, tricks aren't the only thing circulating. There's also a new app, PokeDetector, whose main function is to show notifications about nearby Pokémon on your smartphone or a compatible smartwatch. Now, that's supposedly the same job as Pokémon GO Plus, the official Bluetooth accessory that reveals nearby Pokémon with vibrations and LED lights. But according to available information, GO Plus will arrive in the United States on July 31, while Europe will have to wait until late August or early September. PokeDetector is essentially a shortcut. More than one player online commented that this system should be built into the game, but clearly there's a commercial strategy behind that omission.
Warnings and Niantic's Stance
Needless to say, being an unofficial app, PokeDetector comes with some warnings. In short, Niantic has no interest in allowing third-party software to abuse its API, and although everything seems to work fine so far, nothing stops the company from adopting the "Lieutenant Ripley diplomacy" and starting an orbital bombardment. PokeDetector appears to be exclusive to Android, but there are equivalent apps on iOS, and we mustn't forget portals like PokéVision.
