The solution Apple invented to avoid infringing the Masimo company’s patent on blood oxygen monitoring sensors will satisfy no one, and especially not American consumers: just remove the function!
The Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 were pulled from the manufacturer’s store shelves for a few days before Christmas, following a ban on the import of these models by the American international trade watchdog ITC. Apple managed to temporarily bring back these models following a court decision appealed by the ITC. But the manufacturer cannot be satisfied with this crutch which solves nothing on the merits of the matter.
Apple releases nuclear weapons
At the heart of the issue: a patent on a pulse oximeter (SpO2) by Masimo, a company specializing in medical sensors. The latter won its case before the ITC and expects an American court to rule on the merits. The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit is expected to rule soon on whether to uphold a ban on the sale of connected watches that infringe on blood oxygen level monitoring sensors.
To tip all odds on its side, Apple has unleashed a nuclear weapon: remove the SpO2 function on the Series 9 and Ultra 2! Stock of the revamped Apple Watches is being delivered to Apple Stores in the United States, reports Mark Gurman. The withdrawal was proposed to the US Customs Agency which recognized it, Massimo disclosed. According to customs, ” New design » Watches proposed by Apple firm ” Step out of the box » Ban imposed by ITC.
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This will be the famous software patch that the manufacturer’s engineers worked on before the holidays. Will it be offered to all American users later? In any case, Apple stores will be instructed not to sell the refurbished watches until management gives the green light.
For those who use SpO2 to assess their general health, either through the Blood Oxygen app or by letting the Apple Watch measure periodically in the background, the disappearance of the function is very bad news. Present in the Apple Watch since the Series 6 (2020), the SpO2 reading may also be at the heart of many new features to come, such as sleep apnea detection.
Since the feud between Apple and Massimo doesn’t go back to Christmas, it’s even sillier. The case has been going on in court for years. But instead of working out an amicable agreement, Apple would have preferred to punish its American customers… The pulse oximeter function may return, but this is pending a court decision, or a trick from Apple to circumvent Massimo’s patent.
Read Apple Watch recalled from sale in the United States: case summary
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Source:
Bloomberg
