Pokémon Go gamers shouldn’t leave home without a portable battery charger.

The incredibly popular and newly released AR mobile game Pokémon Go, from Nintendo and Niantic Labs, is a battery killer. Android and iOS smartphone users who have been playing the game have complaining about the drain it’s had on their smartphone batteries. It seems that anyone who wants to play the game on the go might want to have a portable charger with them if they don’t want a dead phone battery.

The game’s drain on a smartphone battery isn’t a big surprise.

Pokémon Go heavily relies on the use of a smartphone’s GPS technology and camera. These are two features that use a lot of power. Furthermore, for the majority of today’s mobile devices, the manufacturing focus has been placed on design and available applications. This means the efficiency required to handle all the new technology and features with which these phones are equipped and their battery life have taken a backseat.

While this wouldn’t matter for many other types of mobile games – as players can shut off certain power-draining features when they’re not needed – Pokémon Go needs these features to function if the player wants the true Pokémon trainer experience. The game relies on the phone’s sensors, camera and location-based algorithms to place Pokémon in real-world locations. As a result, smartphone battery life suffers.

Players who want to “catch ‘em all” may want to invest in a portable charger.

As brutal as Pokémon Go may be on smartphone battery life, the fact remains that this augmented reality (AR) game is popular for a reason. It’s unique, engaging and a lot of fun. Players who want to enjoy this game on the go – as it was meant to be played – may require an external battery charger. A portable charger will not only ensure that players can enjoy the game for longer, but they also won’t have to worry about not having enough juice to make or receive calls, texts or use other applications.

Niantic says it is aware of the game’s battery-drain issue and is working on a solution. However, considering the power-sucking processes on which the game relies, it is not yet clear how the company will be able to address the issue. Until then, for Pokémon Go players, a portable charger seems to be the next best solution.

Heineken is rewarding New Zealand consumers for exploring their city.

The Dutch brewing company, famous for its Heineken pale lager beer, is launching its Heineken LIVE app in New Zealand. The innovative app is equipped with cutting-edge iBeacon technology, which combines Bluetooth and GPS tech. It encourages users to go out and explore their city. When they head to participating Heineken venues they can get rewards.

Heineken is giving away $500,000 in prizes over the next six months.

The app primarily functions as a rewards system. Smartphone users who download the app and head to participating Heineken venues will receive two different types of points: Venue Points and Heineken Status Points. The venue points are limited to each venue. The Status Points elevate a user’s status and offers them an array of rewards. These may include big ticket surprise experiences, VIP event tickets, exclusive access to events, food and beverage offers as well as other opportunities.

Over the next six months, the beer giant is giving away $500,000 in prizes. Users of the app can head to any of the more than 120 venues fitted with iBeacon technology for their chance to receive notifications and rewards from Heineken.

The iBeacon technology is a world first for the beer brand.

The company created the Heineken LIVE app in an effort to improve their connection with consumers between the ages of 18 and 30. This demographic is rarely without their mobile phones. According to Heineken New Zealand marketing manager Taylor Green, the technology is the next generation of loyalty programs.

Green also believes that the LIVE app celebrates what makes cities around New Zealand great. “Our cities are melting pots of culture, showcasing world-class food and drink, technology and exciting events” he said. Green added that “Heineken LIVE uses innovative technology to encourage people to discover the best parts of their cities as well as see old favourites in a whole new light, rather than drinking more.”

Green said that he’s proud that Heineken LIVE was developed locally and will launch in New Zealand first. He also believes there is huge potential for the company’s iBeacon technology app to be successful around the globe.