Should Pokémon move to consoles?

Today marks the 20th Anniversary of Pokémon’s Japanese debut. To celebrate, Nintendo announced the next generation (VII, for those keeping count) of the RPG, Sun and Moon, and the reaction from Engadget’s staff has been mixed. Let’s start things off with the trailer, just because it’s great:

Now, while the Pokémon fans among us will obviously all play the game, some were and are hoping for more from the series. Two, in particular, have spent the past 48 hours arguing over one question: should Pokémon move beyond Nintendo’s handhelds and onto the company’s fully fledged console?

Kris Naudus
Worked at The Pokemon Company for 5 ½ years.

Pokémon is a handheld series. I felt like that point was hammered home during the Sun and Moon announce video, which showed kids (and adults) playing on various Nintendo handhelds as much as it showed the actual games. We’ve all heard the story of how Satoshi Tajiri was inspired to create Pokémon by this childhood love of bug collecting. That initial design ethos manifests in every generation of the game, not just in the places you go or how weird the creatures get, but in finding inventive ways to get you to go outside and meet people.

The big one is the way they split Pokémon between the two versions, which meant that you had to find someone with the opposite version of the game to trade with. Granted, the Global Trade System sort of removed that requirement and all the socializing that came with it, but I still see people getting together to talk about Pokémon in person and I think it helps that you can bring your devices with you. The portability just feels so fundamental to the Pokémon experience at this point.

Aaron Souppouris
First Pokémon: Charmander (always picks Fire starters).

Let me make one thing clear, to start: I don’t want Pokémon to disappear from handhelds. But I do want it to transcend both the platform and the slightly lazy habits it’s slipped into. A console version of Pokémon could work in a number of ways.

While I’d love to see Sun and Moon developed for both handheld and console concurrently, I’d settle for a console remake of an older game. My favorites, due to nostalgia more than anything else, are the Gen I games. Although they’ve been remade, their remakes are built on the same Game Boy Advance engine as the Gen III games… which were brought up-to-date with the release of OmegaRuby and AlphaSapphire. It feels like Gen I has been left behind. Why not take what is clearly the most nostalgia-inducing game and remake it?

I can’t help but think of Level-5’s PlayStation 3 game Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, which is a remake of a DS game. It shares a lot with the Pokémon series — you’re exploring a world, collecting adorable “familiars” that can be tamed to fight for you, for one. But the transition to console adds a lot of additional depth, and you can’t underestimate how different it is exploring this other world on a full-power console when compared to the 3DS. Ever since picking up Ni no Kuni, I’ve been dreaming of exploring Gen I’s Kanto with the presentation and depth of emotion the original anime brought to the table.

Kris Naudus
Favorite Eeveelution: Umbreon (likes Dark-type Pokémon).

I haven’t played Ni no Kuni, but I just finished Yo-Kai Watch the other day. That’s also a Level-5 game with animated sequences and voice acting, but unlike Ni no Kuni it’s a handheld experience only… and it’s giving Pokémon a real run for its money in Japan. As I wrote last year, what I ultimately enjoyed about Yo-Kai Watch wasn’t its animation, battle system or the story, but the sense of exploration the game embraces. There’s just so much more depth to the world of Yo-Kai, and it managed this on a 3DS. I don’t think Pokémon needs to make the switch to home console to become a deeper, more exploratory game. Yo-Kai Watch has already figured it out, and based on the few teases we got during the Nintendo Direct, I bet Pokémon isn’t far behind. I got to play Pokkén Tournament on Friday, and the level of world-building and detail in the backgrounds is absolutely insane. I wouldn’t be surprised if something similar is in store for the mainline series.

Pokémon came out in the US when I was 18, so I didn’t grow up with the franchise the way you and other members of the Engadget team did. It was always a kid franchise to me, though I got sucked into the cartoon pretty hard freshman year of college. When I finally did get into the games, I actually appreciated them for their surface simplicity. But there’s still plenty of depth there for more hard core players, if you want to get into breeding and EV training. There’s a serious competitive scene. And, while the plots of the games have been getting a little more complicated and philosophical, the series’ biggest strength remains its approachability. It’s “Baby’s First RPG” and that’s a good thing, because there are plenty of other great franchises out there that kids can age into. Pokémon is special to so many people because for many it was their first RPG, their first big gaming community or maybe even just the first game they ever played. And some day, they can introduce it to their own kids and have them experience the same sense of wonder.

Aaron Souppouris
Owns a set of crocheted Gen I starters.

Although I’ve not played the DS version of Ni no Kuni (it wasn’t translated to English), I will concede that it’s obviously a deeper game than Pokémon, which would’ve helped with the transition. You’re right that GameFreak [the developers of the core series] could add some more depth into the core gameplay without transitioning to console. And you’re also right that the breeding and EV training (although I don’t really have the time for the latter) add a lot.

I don’t think a console game need be inaccessible, though. The Zelda series successfully bridges Nintendo’s console and handheld platforms, and there’s no reason bringing Pokémon to consoles would hamper its competitive roots, or mess with the core values of the game. At age 14, I was playing Ocarina of Time and Pokémon Red pretty much simultaneously. Both felt age-appropriate, and both held my hand to exactly the right degree. But although I lost myself in Red, I don’t think the world the game built moved me in the same way as Ocarina’s did. Instead, my brain filled in the gaps and characterization with visuals and audio from the anime series, which I loved deeply. Almost 30 years on, and we have the ability to make Pokémon games that look, sound and feel better than the original animated series. And we’re not doing it.

Kris Naudus
Came in third (twice) in an office TCG tournament.

Pokémon has managed to survive for twenty years despite being written off as a fad by quite a few people. I think that’s because the games follow a solid, proven formula. The world of Pokémon works and feels a certain way which is strongly embodied in the show and merchandise. A big part of the Pokémon brand is the social aspect of it, and I don’t see them giving that up any time soon. Granted, the franchise will have to adapt if handheld consoles go the way of the dodo, but I don’t think that means making the move to home consoles. That feels like a step backwards for a franchise that was trying to get people to go outside and be more social. If anything, we already know what they’re aiming for thanks to the announcement of Pokémon GO. Search for Pokémon in the real world? Challenge strangers to Pokémon battles? Yes, please. I can’t wait.

Aaron Souppouris
Built a Pikachu alarm clock in 1998. Needs to have last word.

I’m ridiculously excited for Pokémon GO. Just imagine if it worked alongside a console ga- okay, I’ll stop. Bring on GO, bring on Sun and Moon and bring on me getting back to my 3DS and that Red rerelease.

MWC Revisited: The most interesting wearables

Wearables failed to make much of a splash at MWC 2016. The category seemed to be an afterthought for many manufacturers — such as HTC or Samsung — which instead focused on smartphones and virtual reality products. Unlike in 2015, when we saw new smartwatches from Huawei, LG and others, Android Wear was mostly missing from this year’s Barcelona show. Now, that’s not to say the cause was completely lost, since there were a few wearables that grabbed our attention. Especially the one designed for cows, not people. Don’t you agree?

Photos of ‘iPhone SE’ Screen Display Confirm No 3D Touch

The first purported component leak for the so called iPhone SE has emerged via Nowhereelse.fr. The images claim to depict a screen assembly of the upcoming 4-inch iPhone.

Part leaks have been notably absent for the iPhone SE, despite rumors that the new device will launch in the middle of March — only three weeks away.

The new images seems to confirm that 3D Touch components are absent from the 4-inch device. This is consistent with rumors to date that suggest the 4-inch iPhone will incorporate Live Photo support, but not 3D Touch, which is considered a flagship feature for the iPhone 6s line.

The leaked images are said to be captured by a source that on “several occasions in the past proved to be reliable”.

The iPhone SE is expected to be announced during a March 15th media event.

Related Roundups: iPhone 5se, iPhone SE
Discuss this article in our forums

Apple’s Media Event to be Held the Week of March 21st, Not March 15th

Re/code reports that the much anticipated Apple Media event will actually fall during the week of March 21st, not on March 15th, as originally rumored.

Or to put it another way, it’s not going to be on March 15, the time frame that other outlets previously reported, according to several sources. It is not clear if the event was moved or if this was the same timing as Apple had always planned.

Curiously, the delayed date was first floated by Korean site Underkg earlier this week.

The event, previously known to take place in March 15th, is pushed back a week to March 22nd if our source is correct. Apple allegedly have sent notifications to leave the schedule available from the 21st to 23rd, making us guess that the event will occur a week after the original known date.

The date change had been largely ignored at the time due to the sketchy source of the rumor, but it appears that Re/code has confirmed the new date according to “several sources”.

Besides the 4-inch iPhone SE, Apple is also expected to introduce a new 9.7″ iPad (possibly dubbed as the iPad Pro), and new Apple Watch bands.

Related Roundups: iPad Air 3, Apple Watch, watchOS 2, iPad Pro, iPhone 5se, iPhone SE
Tags: recode.net, underkg.co.kr
Buyer’s Guide: iPad Air (Don’t Buy), Apple Watch (Neutral), iPad Pro (Buy Now)
Discuss this article in our forums

If Apple loses, your home could be the next thing that’s unlocked

In a recent interview about Apple’s ongoing legal battle with the Department of Justice, Tim Cook said that our smartphones have more information about us and our families than any other device we own. He’s right. And if the FBI is able to compel Apple or any company to circumvent a phone’s encryption, it would tap into a wealth of information. But it’s not just the tiny computers in our pocket we need to be concerned about. Your home and car tech could also be affected by the ruling if law enforcement deems it necessary.

Look around your home, office or car. How many microphones, cameras or sensors are pointed at you right now? Even if these devices are not connected to a service or server, they’re probably still there watching and listening. Hopefully the manufacturers did their jobs and all those eyes and ears are encrypted. But, if Apple is forced to help the FBI get into that iPhone, even that encryption won’t matter.

The Internet of Things have been a target of security researchers (and rightfully so), but that’s forced companies to make it a priority to secure these devices. Which is paramount because they record an incredible amount of information about you and your family. Cameras like the Nest Cam track who comes in and out of your home. Microphones embedded in devices like the Amazon Echo and smart TVs let you check the weather, change channels and order items with your voice.

James Arlen, director of risk for Leviathan Security Group is concerned with how that information will be used. “There is absolutely an issue. The world of consumer IoT – including wearables, cars and ‘things that live in my house’ – is the product of companies that are for the most part hoovering up huge gulps of personal data,” he told Engadget.

Both Amazon and Nest encrypt the data sent from their devices. Yet, if the Department of Justice gets its way, that’s just a minor inconvenience for law enforcement if you’re suspected of a crime.

Cars are just as connected as homes. Cameras and mics litter the interior of new vehicles. Voice control, gestures, even backup cameras could be sources of evidence against suspects, their friends and families. Like the makers of connected home items, automakers are doing their best to keep your data secure.

“We believe customers own their data. We are stewards of data, and we commit to protecting it,” Ford spokesperson Christin Baker told Engadget. But what’s the point, when an order from a judge can set all digital eyes on you for potentially even minor infractions.

If your first reaction is, “I’m not a terrorist, there’s no need to for me to worry,” realize it’s not just the FBI that wants to circumvent encryption. Manhattan district attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr says the city has 175 iPhones with passcodes it wants to access. All the DA needs is a judge willing to make Apple unlock those devices.

Judges hold the power to set legal precedent. The reason to open a device or system could vary from region to region. In one state, a major felony could be what’s needed to unlock a piece of hardware. In another, it could be a misdemeanor.

We’ve drenched ourselves in technology to enhance our lives. It’s not 100 percent secure and we know it. We know hackers are out there trying their best to get into our stuff. But those are the bad guys. The government is supposed to be the good guys. When they start circumventing encryption, our homes and cars are no longer the safe havens we enjoy today and that’s frightening.

Apple OS X 10.12 Fuji: What’s the story on the next Mac system update?

Apple typically unveils the next version of the Mac operating system at its annual Worldwide Developer Conference. And wouldn’t you know it – WWDC 2016 is right around the corner.

Although the company started shipping OS X 10.11 El Capitan just last autumn, rumours about the next system update are already beginning to surface. It’ll likely be labelled OS X 10.12, for instance, but it also currently goes by the codename Fuji. We’ve discussed these details and more, including some of the latest rumors of new features. So keep this page bookmarked.

Apple OS X 10.12: What will it be called?

Apple of course has not officially announced OS X 10.12, let alone a name for the system update. Several reports so far however have been calling it the codename “Fuji”. Keep in mind Apple usually sticks with California-themed monikers, and Fuji apples are frequently grown in the US state.

Apple OS X 10.12: When will it release?

New versions of OS X tend to release in the autumn, likely in September or October. We expect Apple to release Fuji during one of those months this year as well, but the company will probably give a demo of the new operating system at WWDC 2016 in June or July.

Apple OS X 10.12: How much will it cost?

Apple in recent years has given away all updates to OS X, so we expect the successor to El Capitan to be a free update as well.

Apple OS X 10.12: What could it feature?

Siri

According to 9to5Mac, Apple is working on a major update to OS X El Capitan called OS X 10.12. It’ll likely arrive this autumn with an impressive expansion of Siri capabilities. Siri, which debuted on the iPhone years ago, has since been added to iPad, Apple Watch, and most recently, the Apple TV. So it makes sense that Apple would want to bring its smart assistant to desktop machines.

Apple had been testing Siri integration since 2012 but only now has a better idea of how Siri can work on the Mac. The company has developed a slick user-interface and is almost ready to go public with it. In fact, Apple is expected to unveil OS X 10.12 at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference in June. During the demo, you can expect to see how Siri for Mac works and functions.

The feature is thought to live in the Mac’s Menu Bar as a Siri icon. It will support voice control, but when you click the icon, a dark Siri interface will appear in the top right corner of your screen. A mockup of this was supplied by 9to5Mac and can be seen below. It looks a lot like Siri on the iPhone and elsewhere, with colourful sound waves and all. Siri will also have a System Preferences pane so you can enable keyboard shortcuts.

There might be an option to enable a “Hey Siri” command under this pane, because – similar to Siri on the iPhone or even Alexa via the Amazon Echo speaker – Siri on the Mac will be always-listening when plugged into power.

Photos

According to Japanese site Mac Otakara, Apple is working on new versions of the Photos app for both iOS 10 and OS X 10.12.

The Photos app for iOS and OS X will be updated with features to bring them up to speed with the now-discontinued iPhoto 2.0.1 for iOS and iPhoto 9.6.1 for Mac, respectively. While the updated iOS app will have tools for editing EXIF data and touch-based brushes, we only know that the updated OS X app will have improvements (but don’t expect Aperture-level features to be added).

Apple OS X 10.12: What are the top wishlist features?

Here’s a list of features many people have long-requested from Apple, though there’s been no word yet to suggest they will be added to Fuji (once we hear more however, we’ll let you know):

• Health app for OS X – There’s a Health app for iOS and Apple Watch but nothing for OS X. It’d be cool to track health stats from a desktop.
• Apple Music App for OS X – The iTunes app needs to be refined, obviously, but apart from that, many people want Apple to break up iTunes into smaller apps, which includes offering a dedicated Apple Music app.
• Clock App for OS X – A dedicated app with Alarm, Stopwatch, and Timer functionality would be so handy.

Apple OS X 10.12: Want to know more?

Check Pocket-lint’s Apple hub for more related news and analysis.

Scrubbing with a toothbrush that knows when you missed a spot

Mobile World Congress is predominantly about smartphones, however look hard enough and you’ll find all sorts of other surprises too. Take Oral-B, which chose Barcelona as the place to announce the B-Genius, a new toothbrush that knows exactly where you’re scrubbing. A built-in accelerometer clocks the angle, while your phone’s front-facing camera tracks its location and your dentures. As you brush, the companion app highlights the places you’ve cleaned and the spots you might have missed. So of course, we had to try it for ourselves and see if it’s worth the hassle.

Once you’ve stumbled into the bathroom, you’ll need to take out your phone and place it in one of Oral-B’s new cradles. It’s a simple piece of plastic with a pressurised suction cup that’s simple enough to attach to a bathroom mirror. The front-facing camera needs to be at eye-level, so you’ll probably need to remove the cradle after every use — that could be a pain, but luckily it doesn’t leave behind any marks or nasty gunk.

The toothbrush connects over Bluetooth and you can create a basic profile in the app, such as whether you have particularly sensitive teeth. Then you can pick a color for the light at the top of the handle (very important, of course) and start a new session. You’ll see a circle in the middle of the screen, which turns green when your face is being recognised by the camera. A line underneath does the same, indicating that the phone is roughly level, and then you’re ready to hit the button and start cleaning.

It’s a bunch of tiny steps that I imagine would aggravate my sleep-deprived brain each morning. Thankfully, the actual brushing experience is top-notch. The app uses a simple six-segment diagram, which represents the left, middle and right parts of your top and bottom choppers. As you scrub, the blue panels slowly disappear until it feels that you’ve cleaned thoroughly. Part of me wanted more detail — it would be great to know which particular teeth I’m missing — but in this case, less is probably more. I don’t think my brain wants that much information just after I wake up.

The Genius-B comes with the same tricks found in some of Oral-B’s other “smart” toothbrushes. There are pressure sensors to stop you from brushing too vigorously (a common problem, I’ve been told) and a timer to make sure you clean for the dentist-recommended two minutes.

Once I had finished, the app gave me a simple score grading my technique. It was a novel, but unsurprising analysis of my wonky teeth-cleaning habits. I’m intrigued by the general concept — I want to know if I’m brushing my teeth properly — but pairing the device with my phone and setting up the app felt like a chore. Although I care about my dental health, I think a bare-bones electric toothbrush is just fine for me right now.

Discogs’ vinyl-tracking app goes wide February 29th

Whether you call it “vinyl,” “wax,” “black crack” or something else entirely, we can all agree that poring over shelves for new records can be a time-consuming, but ultimately rewarding, process. And now, the folks at Discogs are making it easier to see if that copy of the Lost Highway soundtrack you found is the real deal or just another bootleg. Come Monday, the internet’s preeminent destination for music collectors is taking its iOS app out of beta.

Searching for a record is as simple as scanning its barcode with your phone’s camera, and managing your collection via the free app is pretty intuitive as well. From a search results screen, just drag to the right to either add to your want list or collection — similar to how the Amazon app works for purchases. Oh, and marketplace pricing is front and center for any given LP so making sure you aren’t getting ripped off while crate-digging on vacation is as easy as possible.

Discogs is leaning heavily on its users to drive feature additions for the app, and native marketplace integration currently leads the request list. Why’s that? Because for now, making a purchase redirects to the mobile website. It’s still a bit janky in that regard. The outfit says that it should go live in the App Store sometime Monday morning Pacific Time.

Source: Discogs

MWC Revisited: The best of the rest

We’ve seen smartphones, wearables and tablets galore here at Mobile World Congress, plastered with mucky fingerprints and goodness knows what else over the week on the show floor. But, that’s not all. During our travels we’ve also discovered some weird and wonderful products that require a roundup of their own. So without further ado, here’s the “best of the rest,” a collection of the good, the bad and the downright strange that didn’t make our other catchup pieces.

Watch the Engadget staff on: Online streaming

With the Academy Awards less than 48 hours away, the Engadget staff sat down to talk all things streaming. Our intrepid editors discuss their favorite services, cop to still subscribing to cable and posit whether an online original like Beasts of No Nation could actually win at the Oscars. Here’s what they had to say.