What is the best cell phone for a referee?
 

My current contract has expired and I am ready for a new phone. I wanted to see if there is a specific type of phone that the majority of you are using. Obviously it needs texting features. I am thinking along of the lines of keeping a schedule electronically or maybe tracking expenses.

I realize the Iphone can do everything I have listed here but I thought there might be some other options.

So tell me what you use and how it works for you.

I'm not sure that's "obvious."

I use a phone for calling, and a spreadsheet for tracking games, revenue and expenses and a calendar to track the schedule.

I use my phone for making calls and voice mail. It has a calendar, but I don't use it. I already have too many calendars to keep up to date.

If all the officials got a nextel, then we could talk to each other on the wakie talkie feature for free (free...right...., at no additional charge). So if the folks you need to talk to already have Nextel, then that's the way to go.

As things go, DROID, (I think it's Droid) just put out a new phone to compete with the iPhone. The reviews are good. At this early stage, they don't have as many applications. But, that will change. You can do videos or pictures with a better camera than iPhone's camera. Upgradable memory. Plus, I think they may be on the Verison network. They have good coverage. If you get the 3G(4G) package, you can connect to the internet anywhere. Check/Send email. Get weather radar, directions to the game, check sports reports, login to the scheduling system, login to this forum, etc. With touch technology, sending txt messages is breeze. Plus, it plays music and movies. And surprisingly enough, you can make calls and receive voice mail.

Of course, I want one....but

OK.....commerical over.....like I said, I just read this article....

Bob I assume that everyone works some rec league games and receives assignments via text as well as communicating with partners via text. I guess that may not be the case.

So in your opinion a phone is only used for conversations so most all models would work?

All the things you have listed is what I am asking.. Is there a phone that does that better than others?

Cell phone!?!?! I just progressed from using messengers on horseback to the telegraph! :eek:

I don't get anything via text. Our schedules are done in arbiter online, and we are told to actually talk to our partners before the game. There are enough folks who don't text, I don't text anyone who hasn't told me it's ok.

Now, I can't wait for the arbiter app for my Blackberry Storm.

And don't mind Padgett. He's still grumpy he can't find any more Carrier Pidgeons.

Snaq all my HS assignments come through the arbiter but all my rec league assignments come via text. I guess it is faster to text times and day then to have a conversation.
We are supposed to actually talk to our partners too but the growing trend of text as a communication medium is taking over and lots of refs just text the time they will be there. Again I guess it is faster than a traditional conversation.

So how do you like the Storm? Does it do spreadsheets at all?

You want to be able to synchronize your calandar on the phone with the calendar on the computer. I would recommend using Google Calendar. It is simple and you don't need other programs. It works well with iPhone, Blackberry, Windows Mobile, Android, and I believe some Nokia phones. If you add something to your Google Calendar on the computer it will just show up on your phone. You always have your up to date calendar on the phone as well as online.

Google just came out with a turn by turn GPS navigation features in Google Maps on Android phones (Android is Google's operating system). That would be useful in helping you get to your games if you don't already have a GPS system. The Google version reviews aren't that great but it is completely free and will only be getting better. The Droid might be the only phone this works on right now.

Official Google Mobile Blog: Announcing Google Maps Navigation for Android 2.0

You realize that cell phones will critique your game. :eek:
After the game, pick up your phone. I bet it will have a message like..
"Missed 5 calls" :D

Now I know who the forum's IT man is. :) But what does it all mean, Basil?

Snaq, is there a specific app that is going to be available for the Storm?
I’m looking very closely at the Strom 2 that was just released. Mostly for its browser capabilities. I want a good browser so I can access my schedule on the Arbiter and email. However, if there is a specific mobile app available for the Arbiter that will work on the Storm or other smart phones I would be very interested in that.

Oh ya, I might use it now and then for making phone calls.

Nothing I know of, and I would bet the market for such an app is not sufficiently large to warrant the programmers' attention.

I've had it for three months now (right before the Storm 2 came out), and I'm starting to get used to it. I don't work rec league, so I don't know how the local rec leagues hand out assignments.

Last year I may have had one or two partners text me, but that was after we talked and only to update their expected arrival times.

You definitely need a handsfree phone with Bluetooth. It is the only way to be able to continue talking to friends and asking fellow referees for rulings on specific sits during the games. Texting is typically too slow during a game -- that only works effectively during timeouts and between quarters. I would also suggest that you get one with the AP application to properly track the possession arrow during the game. Make sure that it has a stop clock function as well.

The phone that works and the official is capable to use. That is all that matters.

Peace

Blackberry........

Ba-Dum-Bum

That would be a good game for me.

On a more serious note, a Blackberry can be had for a very reasonable price. You can access the separate information if you need -- synch your calendar, update your expenses, access google, etc.

A Blackberry is a reasonable phone with good texting capabiliity along with decent web access if you need it -- our OHSAA contracts are on the OHSAA site that I can bring up on my BBerry if I forgot directions to a HS.

I guess yours would read.. Missed 10 calls?

Best phone for refs? How about the Samsung "Stripe"?

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA280_.jpg

Depends on whom you ask.

New Cell Phones? We Don't Need No Stinkin' New Cell Phones ...
 

I still use my Motorola DynaTAC 8000X. I bought it in 1984. It only weighs two pounds. Light as a feather. And I get to talk for a whole half-hour before I have to recharge it. And if I don't carry an extra pair of shoes in my equipment bag, it will easily fit in my equipment bag.

http://thm-a01.yimg.com/image/dc60460daf437fb8

iPhone.

I've suggested to the folks at ArbiterSports that there should be "an app for that." They said it's down the road.

The latest iPhone OS has copy/paste, so you could copy those text messages into your calendar.

The iPhone can be setup to work with Microsfot Outlook, GMail, Yahoo!, AOL, etc. in the time it takes you to type in your usermane and password. No server addresses, SMTP, POP3, or any of that other crap to enter.

If you buy online at AT&T Wireless, you can get an refurb iPhone for less than $100. Just as good and the same warraty as the brand new one.

BTW, Blackberry sucks. I've had both.

There is no other choice IMHO.

Same with my Blackberry 9000.

Is the iPhone better than the Blackberry? I don't know, I've never owned an iPhone but the Blackberry far from "sucks".

Blackberry 9000. :)

Hmmmm, the best cell phone for any official is a phone that will make calls. And not just in places that it likes!

Blackberry has changed my life.
 

Highly recommend.

All members of the associations I belong to in the contacts file.
All venues loaded as well, easily viewed in Google maps.
Web access to solve problems. Can access reftek.. haven't tried arbitersports on it.
Email from assignors can be responded to in seconds.
The mapping is huge. All pertinent information available at fingertips.
Again, highly recommended.

Ref99 do you have a storm?

I have a Curve. 8350i?
 

sprint/nextel is carrier.

Is there such a thing in development?!?!?! I really hope you're not fooling w/ my emotions here!

Edit: guess I should have read the whole thread first. Never mind...

Isn't this what anybody aspiring to work in the NBA should look into?

I just got the Blackberry Storm2. I have not seen anything with the iPhone that makes it so much better. I am sure there are some features that are great with that phone, but the Blackberry serves my purposes. I had a Blackberry 8330 Curve for a year and I loved that phone too. As I said it comes down to what you like and what works for you.

Peace

This is your life motto, isn't it Jeff?

I would also add that you should get one that allows you to block long distance calls.

Pretty much. I see some of you are finally catching on. ;)

Peace

If you have an application that you can read Excel spreadsheets or a PDF file on your phone, you can transfer your ArbiterSports schedules over to your phone. How I do it for my Palm Centro is I use a desktop to save my schedule as a PDF file, and then attach it to an email to my phone, open it, and save it to my phone. Sounds like a lot of steps, but it beats sitting around waiting for the Arbiter folks to come up with an app.

I have a Blackberry Curve through Verizon/Alltel. I just got it over the summer, but I wish I would have waited for the Storm or the Droid (Since I was Alltel before, the Storm wasn't quite available yet). I didn't do my research enough so I wasn't aware that the Curve was an older phone. Oh well, by the time I need a new phone there will be something new out that is 10 times better than this stuff out now. Plus, the Curve works well for me as it is.

Oh yeah, download Opera Mini for the Blackberry if you haven't already. Makes viewing web pages like the Arbiter tons easier than the Blackberry browser.

Well it does seem to be what he likes and works best for him.

zm, thanks for the recommendation on the Opera browser as well.

Let me know how that works. I might have to consider it. Does it work with web pages that have adapted to the blackberry browser?

This would be perfect if you can get ‘em in an all black court shoe. During the third quarter intermission you could call in a pizza.

http://www.sliceofscifi.com/wp-conte...shoe_phone.jpg

The best phone for any referee is one that makes good calls!:D bad, I know, but I couldn't let that one go.

Opera Mini
 

Will do, thanks.

Wel hace you ever tried the sync with outlook option from the arbiter then sync your outlook calendar with your Palm?

I do that too. That way I've got it in more than one place. Emailing the schedule gives me the capability to have my partner's name ready, and their contact info. Sometimes that gets lost when doing the outlook sync.

My vote....
 

Had a Samsung Blackjack. Had a Blackberry. Currently have an iphone. I was never an Apple fan...thought all their users were zealots and rebels but I have to say the iphone is the best phone/PDA I've ever had. Not only does it synch easily with Outlook for Arbiter dates/contacts, but the web browsing and apps available make it invaluable...and it is by far the easiest to learn.

If there really is an iphone app in development for Arbiter, I'd pay for it in a heartbeat.

I just picked up the new Motorola Droid today and I love it. I had been looking over the Storm 2 but held off on getting it because of all the hype for the Droid. Well it wasn’t just hype. The web browsing on the Droid is outstanding. I can easily view and maneuver around in the Arbiter as well as this forum. I can access my corporate email account from the Outlook web mail site and my gmail account as well. Oh, it also make phone call pretty well too.

If you havent settled on one of the above mentioned phones, consider a Palm. I have had several and prefer the Palm 755p to the newer Pre and Centro. It is tougher than the Pre or Centro. I used a Storm, and I like this one better as it has the touch screen AND a keyboard. I have a hard time typing on the touch screen Storm. I've also had an LG, the cool Motorola phone whatever its called. It has its own calendar app that I like better than Google Calendar or the blackberry stuff. There are plenty of Excel apps, etc. for the Palm too. YMMV.