Imagine trying to keep your eye on a speeding puck, avoid getting tangled up with endorphin-fueled athletes, and still manage to glance up at a distant scoreboard to check the game clock. That's the reality for NHL referees. However, their job might be about to get a little bit easier with the addition of a tech upgrade: Apple Watches.
The NHL and Apple have announced a team-up to equip on-ice officials with smartwatches running a custom app. This app, the NHL Watch Comms app, is at the core of this initiative with a custom-designed program that provides referees with a constant view of the game clock.
NHL officials wearing Apple Watches. | Image credit — NHL
Beyond simply displaying time, the watches deliver haptic alerts, or vibrations, to signal events like players exiting the penalty box or the end of a period. These haptic patterns are distinct, preventing confusion among officials during the game. The watches are also linked to the NHL's Oasis system, a cloud-based platform that compiles player tracking, game data, and other essential information, ensuring all officials receive synchronized updates.
NHL Watch Comms app. | Image credit — NHL
The need for this technology arose from the inherent challenges faced by on-ice officials. Their duties extend beyond making calls; they must also track the puck, navigate around players, monitor zones, and manage player movements in and out of the penalty box. A significant hurdle was the need to constantly check the game clock, often located on video boards high above the ice. With the speed of hockey, this proved inefficient and disruptive. By providing real-time, on-wrist information, the NHL aims to streamline the referee's workflow and improve their ability to focus on the game.
We wanted to make sure that the officials had really good awareness and were able to keep their eyes on play. So by enabling haptic responses, we were able to provide non-visual cues to the officials.
— Andres de Corral, VP of Digital Services at Presidio
Officials have the option to select either the Apple Watch Ultra or the Series model, depending on their comfort and equipment needs. Regardless of the model chosen, these watches are designated solely for in-game use, ensuring uniformity across all officials. This partnership builds on previous collaborations between Apple and the NHL, including the use of iPads and Macs for game video analysis.
Recommended Stories
This integration of wearable technology into professional sports officiating could signal a broader trend. It has the potential to influence how other leagues utilize real-time data and communication, possibly resulting in more precise and efficient refereeing procedures across a variety of sports.
Create a free account and join our vibrant community
Register to enjoy the full PhoneArena experience. Here’s what you get with your PhoneArena account:
Johanna 'Jojo the Techie' is a skilled mobile technology expert with over 15 years of hands-on experience, specializing in the Google ecosystem and Pixel devices. Known for her user-friendly approach, she leverages her vast tech support background to provide accessible and insightful coverage on latest technology trends. As a recognized thought leader and official member of #TeamPixel, Johanna ensures she stays at the forefront of Google services and products, making her a reliable source for all things Pixel and ChromeOS.
Recommended Stories
Loading Comments...
COMMENT
All comments need to comply with our
Community Guidelines
Phonearena comments rules
A discussion is a place, where people can voice their opinion, no matter if it
is positive, neutral or negative. However, when posting, one must stay true to the topic, and not just share some
random thoughts, which are not directly related to the matter.
Things that are NOT allowed:
Off-topic talk - you must stick to the subject of discussion
Offensive, hate speech - if you want to say something, say it politely
Spam/Advertisements - these posts are deleted
Multiple accounts - one person can have only one account
Impersonations and offensive nicknames - these accounts get banned
Moderation is done by humans. We try to be as objective as possible and moderate with zero bias. If you think a
post should be moderated - please, report it.
Have a question about the rules or why you have been moderated/limited/banned? Please,
contact us.
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
Things that are NOT allowed: