West Tenn. trainers hit streets for ‘Pokemon Go’

JACKSON, Tenn. — If you see people wandering around town holding their phones up and intently staring at them, no, they’re probably not searching for a signal or Face-Timing — they’re likely playing Pokemon Go. It’s the latest craze in smartphone apps.

“It’s fun and you see people walking around with their phones and you’re like ‘yeah, I know what you’re doing,'” user Alyssa Marshall said.

In a flashback from the ’90s, the new Nintendo app is bringing to life a childhood favorite game for many of its users, young and old.

“We went to find our seats [in Cracker Barrel] and a couple, like 55 or 60 years old, walking by me and throwing Pokeballs at Pokemon in Cracker Barrel,” user Jonathan Greer said. “So literally everyone’s picking up on it.”

The free Pokemon Go app has been on the market for about a week and links to a Google account on your phone to get started.

“Playing it shows you basically the same thing you would see if you were looking at a GPS app on your phone and has all of the roads and has all the buildings and stuff,” Nerdvana clerk Kirby Lancaster said.

The Pokemon app uses real buildings and landmarks in order to battle and collect items. Players said you really have to get up and moving in order to be active within the game.

“It’s gotten me out of the house and like exploring Union’s campus because there are a lot of landmarks where you get Pokemon balls and like potions and stuff,” Marshall said.

The Tennessee Highway Safety Office urges users not to play and drive.

“If you’re a little antisocial before, maybe a little shy, you can go outside and see other people also playing the game,” Lancaster said. “You might go up to them and say ‘hey, what are you trying to catch’ or ‘what are you looking for?’ Or ‘which team are you on?’ So it gives you something to talk about.”

The THP says stopping on the highway or interstate will result in a ticket being issued to the driver.

“Be careful. So many people are walking around and will jump out in front of cars because they’re chasing after a Pikachu,” Greer said. “Or, I’ve seen some people — and I’ve been guilty of it too — stopped at a red light and you play and the light turns green.”

Since the app connects to your Google accounts, it has access to more of your information than other apps you may download.