Makers of To-Do App 'Clear' Devise New Virtual Pocket Pet for the iPhone

Clear, which was designed by Impending and Realmac Software, took the app world by storm when it was released, thanks to an innovative gesture-based interface and simple list making tools.

The team that made Clear is working on another app, one that looks just as promising. This time, though, productivity isn't the goal. Instead, the two companies have dreamed up a new virtual pet simulation game called Hatch.

Tamagotchis, those digital handheld pets that were popular in the '90's, have slowly made their way into the App Store. For example, virtual iPhone pet Hatchi has been available in the App Store since early 2012, but based on both video and screenshots, Hatch is an entirely new experience that aims to turn the iPhone itself into a companion creature.

A teaser video reveals that each user will get a pet "Fugu." The pet appears to interact with users in a variety of ways on the iPhone, including those outside the app itself, like through music playing.

As the video says, "You love your iPhone and starting early next year, it's going to love you back."

Hatch will launch in 2013, but visiting the Hatchpet website at this time presents a special opportunity to choose a Fugu in a special color when signing up for the site via email.