You'd probably have to be living under a rock over the past few weeks to not notice the Pokemon Go craze that is sweeping the world currently.
The digital game became a global sensation after launching in the US on July 6. The augmented-reality game – which is freely available for most smartphones – mostly involves players hunting the real world for the chance to catch digital Pokemon characters.
The augmented reality part is where your smartphone's GPS, camera and position sensors tell the game where you are.
If you are wondering why there are crowds of people all walking around and watching their smartphones now you know. Some have even quit their jobs to play the game full time, while one man was playing while his wife gave birth.
Apart from the healthy aspect of people walking around, several businesses are set to be winners from the Pokemon Go craze. Here's three of them…
JB Hi-Fi Limited (ASX: JBH)
The consumer electronics store is no doubt being inundated with shoppers wanting newer, faster more capable smartphones. Not only that, but I imagine portable batteries like the ones below will be selling like hotcakes to keep those smartphone batteries charged. And for those wanting to track how far they've walked in the day – Fitbits anyone?
Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS)
Australia's telecommunications giant is likely experiencing a huge increase in data flowing through its mobile network – as will other mobile phone network providers – Optus and Vodafone – as well as third-party providers like Amaysim Australia Ltd (ASX: AYS). But not all that data is free. Users may well find they have to upgrade their mobile plans to higher data plans – which are obviously more expensive, and then there are the excess data charges which can be huge. It's also an example of how we are developing ever-more ways to use mobile data.
Event Hospitality and Entertainment Ltd (ASX: EVT)
Event Hospitality – formerly Amalgamated Holdings – owns a number of businesses that could benefit from Pokemon Go. Greater union and Event Cinemas for one could be a big winner with news that Hollywood is reportedly interested in a Pokemon movie. Ok, it might be a while before the movie comes out, but if the success of the game is any indication, it could be huge for Event Hospitality. It doesn't require Kadabra's psychic skills to predict a Pokemon movie would likely be successful.
