Skip to main content

One of the first apps announced for the Apple Watch is a virtual pet

apple watch hatchi virtual pet app
Image used with permission by copyright holder
The Apple Watch is almost certainly going to be revealed in detail during Apple’s Spring Forward event on March 9, and while it promises to be a cutting-edge piece of cool tech, what we all really want is a way to turn it into a virtual pet. Thankfully, just such an app has been announced already, and it will be out very soon.

It’s all thanks to Portable Pixels, the developers behind Hatchi, a virtual pet game that’s already available for the iPhone. An update will be pushed to the app in the very near future, enabling it to work on Apple’s new smartwatch. Its creators promise that the app will open “a new chapter in the relationship people have with their virtual pets.”

Apple Watch Hatchi
Image used with permission by copyright holder

What that means, beyond what we already know about the game, is a mystery. However, we can see in the screenshots the titular character still gets to eat pizza, play with a ball, and read a book. He/she/it looks so happy performing these tasks, it makes us question why we aren’t doing one of those awesome activities right now.

Hatchi will be getting Apple Watch compatibility very soon, and it’ll be free for existing owners. Those who want Hatchi on their Watch but don’t already own the app will need to pay the current $2 asking price.

Will the draw of a retro virtual pet be enough to sway those unconvinced by the Apple Watch ahead of its official unveiling, or is this just another example of why some people don’t want one in the first place? Digital Trends will be covering the launch in detail, and you can find out how to avoid missing all the action right here.

Editors' Recommendations

Andy Boxall
Senior Mobile Writer
Andy is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends, where he concentrates on mobile technology, a subject he has written about for…
Why you shouldn’t buy a new Apple Watch right now
The curved screen on the Apple Watch Series 9.

It has been over six months since the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 launched, and they are still considered two of the best smartwatches on the market. However, there are two significant reasons why you might not want to purchase either of these models.

Those reasons are the Apple Watch Series 8 and the first-generation Apple Watch Ultra. That's right — buying a 2022 Apple Watch over the newer models might be a better choice for you.
Why now's a great time to buy an old Apple Watch
The Apple Watch Series 9 (top) and Apple Watch Series 8 Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Read more
8 watches you should buy instead of an Apple Watch
A person wearing the Apple Watch Series 9.

The Apple Watch Series 9 is the best smartwatch you can buy, regardless of the fact you can only use it with an iPhone. It's also great that it comes in three flavors — the Series 9, along with the Apple Watch SE 2, and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 — to suit many more people and pockets than you may first think. However, perhaps you want something a little different on your wrist or even a weekend alternative when you don’t feel like wearing a touchscreen watch.

That’s where this list should help you out, as we’ve gathered eight watches to buy instead of the Apple Watch. Notice I said “watches,” and not just smartwatches, as some non-connected wristwear has been included. Our choices cover the entire Apple Watch range in terms of price, even going above and below, to give you some real inspiration about a watch to buy instead of — or as well as — the superb Apple Watch.
Casio G-Shock GPR-H1000 Rangeman
Casio G-Shock Rangeman Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Read more
Is the Apple Watch Series 9 waterproof?
Exercise data showing on the Apple Watch Series 9.

The Apple Watch Series 9, released in September 2023, is the latest addition to Apple's line of smartwatches. Alongside the Apple Watch Ultra 2, the Series 9 boasts many impressive features and upgrades.

The Apple Watch Series 9 resembles its predecessor, the Apple Watch Series 8, in terms of design. However, it does come with a few notable improvements. The watch offers more peak brightness, which makes it easier to view in bright sunlight, and the new chip is faster and more efficient than the previous model. It can also process some Siri requests entirely on-device, allowing you to perform certain commands even when not connected to your iPhone.

Read more