Wristband Acts As Digital Referee

Picture this. You’re in the middle of a game with some friends and the competitive spirit is getting the best of you. Without a referee, an argument breaks out and you start losing track of the score. Who knows how many recreational games have ended this way? David Veshapidze is out to change that with something he’s calling Ref.

Ref is an app-enabled score and timekeeper that allows players to keep track of the game using a wristband and display board. Although originally intended for basketball, it can be used for any point scoring game. Players simply set up the score display and add points and time via the touch of a button on their wristband.

Although Ref is still under development at Quirky the wristband is one size fits all and something participants can rely on to not interfere with their performance. The hope is that the wristband will be able to control the scoreboard from at least 100-200 feet away.

Veshapidze is hopeful that Ref will be controlled on smartphones using Wink, an iOS and Android app used to control everything from thermostats to garage doors. Many of the operational features could be controlled via the app, including game controls as well as various stats. The app would have rule-sets for different types of games.

Although Ref seems to be quite a practical device, it’s nice to see a technology born out of putting an end to needless arguments and refocusing on enjoying the game. With the help of feedback from Quirky’s large community of inventors, it’s sure to enter the marketplace as a well-thought-out product.

This article first appeared here – http://www.psfk.com/2014/09/wristband-app-plays-digital-ref.html