Pokémon Sleep, the app that aims to designate Pikachu as your certified sleep neurologist, has finally made its way to the United States. This highly-anticipated app was initially announced back in 2019 but faced a four-year delay before its release.
The concept behind Pokémon Sleep is quite unique and intriguing. It works by having users place their phone on their pillow after engaging in various Pokémon-themed activities. The app claims to track sleeping habits through the phone’s sensors and provides users with insights into their sleep quality. It also compares their sleeping style to that of other Pokémon.
The app keeps track of various sleep statistics, including time spent snoring and dozing, and even allows users to record audio while they sleep. These audio recordings could potentially capture amusing moments such as confessing to crimes in nightmares or, on a more mundane note, documenting how often and how loud one farts during sleep.
To enhance the Pokémon Sleep experience, The Pokémon Company has also introduced a standalone peripheral called Pokémon Go Plus+. This pokéball-shaped device has a button that users can press to start or stop their sleeping sessions. Inside the device, a small Pikachu is ready to serenade users with lullabies or act as an alarm in the morning. The Pokémon Go Plus+ can also be used with the popular game Pokémon Go, allowing users to spin pokéstops without taking out their phones. Furthermore, by pairing the Pokémon Go Plus+ with either Pokémon Go or Pokémon Sleep, users can unlock special rewards in both games.
For those concerned about keeping their phone close to them while they sleep, the Pokémon Go Plus+ offers an alternative solution. This allows users to enjoy the features of Pokémon Sleep without worrying about the potential disturbances caused by having a phone nearby during the night.
The availability of Pokémon Sleep in different countries has been a gradual process. Just recently, the app became accessible in Canada, and it has been met with excitement from fans of the Pokémon franchise. In fact, our boss, Andrew Webster, had the chance to try out the app before the general public, sparking envy among other Pokémon enthusiasts.
The launch of Pokémon Sleep marks another expansion of the Pokémon brand into the realm of health and wellness. In recent years, we have seen Pokémon Go promoting physical activity and capturing the attention of millions of players worldwide. Now, Pokémon Sleep aims to focus on the importance of quality sleep and its impact on overall well-being. By gamifying the experience of tracking and improving sleep habits, Pokémon Sleep provides a unique and engaging approach to promoting healthy sleep patterns.
It is worth noting that Pokémon Sleep not only offers entertainment value but also has the potential to contribute to scientific research. With users voluntarily recording their sleep habits and sharing anonymized data, researchers could gain valuable insights into sleep patterns on a large scale. This data could help in understanding sleep disorders, improving sleep-related treatments, and advancing our knowledge of sleep in general.
In conclusion, the release of Pokémon Sleep in the United States is an exciting development for Pokémon fans and those interested in improving their sleep habits. With its unique concept, the app offers a fun way to track and analyze sleep patterns while engaging with beloved Pokémon characters. The addition of the Pokémon Go Plus+ peripheral adds an extra level of convenience and enjoyment. As Pokémon Sleep continues to roll out worldwide, it will be fascinating to see how it impacts both the gaming and sleep industries, potentially revolutionizing the way we approach and prioritize sleep.