If Pokémon Go helps people keep fit by walking, the new app, called Pokémon Smile, helps kids take care of their teeth in a fun way. On June 17, 2020, the company announced the release of a new AR game that encourages kids to brush their teeth.
In the game, players are tasked to "rescue" Pokémon from cavity-causing bacteria through brushing their teeth. Children record themselves brushing their teeth guided by a digital mouth display at the bottom of the screen.
Shadows of certain Pokémon hiding in certain teeth can be revealed by brushing the specific area a number of times. If the players accomplish brushing away all the germs, they get rewarded by catching a pokémon at the end.
Gotta Catch 'Em All, Germs and Pokémon Alike
It's fun when technology is combined with health and a little bit of common interest, which in this case, is Pokémon. Pokémon is everywhere and has been around since the late 90s.
According to The Independent, Pokémon was launched during the peak of western cultural civilisation, which was the 90s. Furthermore, the first Pokémon Movie was among 1999's biggest releases. The brand name still echoes among people of different ages up to this time.
Additionally, the same pattern is visible in Google Trends, which shows a massive and unprecedented spike in searches in 2016. In the same year, Pokémon Go was launched, and it created a pretty stable level of intrigue and enthusiasm.
In its new app release, kids place a smartphone or tablet on their bathroom counter to allow the camera to record them as they brush their teeth. Every day, players are presented with a new selection of Pokémon, which adds to the excitement of not knowing what to get.
Sources say there will initially be 100 Pokémon available, and the company will add to the roster over time, just like in Pokémon Go.
The Pokémon Company Promotes Health Apps
The announcement of the app's launch is part of the Pokémon Company's continuous efforts to expand a set of lifestyle products and services that build on the triumph of Pokémon Go.
According to the Washington Post, the app was a success not only because of fitness goals and local landmarks. Pokémon has always been a shared passion that brought many people together. Although being a fantasy world, its prominence as something that links people together makes it so much more.
Last year, the company announced another lifestyle-fixated app, called Pokémon Sleep. The app is focused on helping kids develop proper sleep schedules.
An initial announcement stated that the app was intended to use smartphone accelerometers to record the amount of time a person tosses and turns during the night. Additionally, the app was also designed to calibrate how much REM sleep the user gets.
Since then, the app's release has been put off, and the company has not yet expounded details about the app's gameplay. The company has not yet given further details of the sleep app's release.
Nevertheless, many Pokémon fans are excited to experience these health-promoting apps that will surely bring them closer not only to their favorite pocket monsters but also to other fans as well.
