UPDATE: ‘Pokémon GO’ reportedly goes live on Android & iOS in the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, & Japan

Following closed beta tests, it seems the new Pokémon GO is now live on Android (no updates yet for iOS). But reports have surfaced that it currently only works in the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand. Nintendo's augmented reality-based game has been made in collaboration with Niantic Labs and allows you to collect, train, and battle Pokémon in the real world. It’s a free-to-play game with in-app purchase options as well as a Bluetooth accessory that’ll alert you of Pokémon and let you capture them without bringing out your phone. It may not show up for you yet but with this bit of news swirling around, you should expect to have the app ready for your phone in no time.

Source: 9to5Google + Android Central + Fev Games + GameSpot

UPDATE (as of 9:49 p.m. EDT):

The game is now also live on iOS in the same areas and it's also already available in Japan as well.

Source: Nintendo Insider

Nintendo Pokémon GO set for July release

The wait is almost over. Nintendo’s augmented reality-based version of Pokémon they were working on with Niantic is set to land on Android and iOS smartphone starting next month. Pokémon GO brings the catching Pokémon experience into the real world with the use of AR. You can choose between using programmed backgrounds or use your smartphone camera to have the Pokémon appear on your streets. The more Pokémon you catch and train, the more experience points you get, meaning the more powerful you become. The stronger you are, you can catch stronger and rarer Pokémon. Trading Pokémons aren’t in the mix yet as the company wants to develop that feature further and have users get used to playing the game and catching Pokémon first.

The game also comes with a fitness tracker-like Bluetooth device called the Pokémon Go Plus that’ll send you alerts and let you catch “wild” Pokémon even without taking out your phone. This will supposedly come out in “late July” and will cost US$34.99 (CA$45). The app, though, is free-to-play. It’ll also have some sort of interaction with upcoming Pokémon Sun and Moon games but that’ll be available at a later date, too.

Source: Polygon | Via: Android Police