Apple Restores Blood Oxygen Feature to Some US Watches
Apple will restore blood oxygen monitoring capabilities to specific US smartwatch models through software updates following US Customs approval after their prolonged legal battle with Masimo.
The Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10 and Ultra 2 devices enable users to measure blood oxygen levels through their watch display which shows results on connected iPhones. The US International Trade Commission issued a ruling that Apple infringed Masimo's pulse oximetry patents which resulted in an import ban that prevented these models from shipping without the function.
The Federal Circuit lifted the import ban after Masimo won its case against Apple in 2023 which led Apple to disable blood oxygen monitoring for US customers. The Federal Circuit restored the import ban which forced Apple to sell affected models without the feature until the company finished its appeal.
Apple introduced blood oxygen monitoring as a feature for its Series 6 watches when they launched in 2020. Masimo released its W1 watch with comparable technology during 2022.
Masimo stock prices decreased by 4.5% during Thursday's trading session. Apple has not provided any information about when the update will become available. Masimo did not immediately comment.
Dominic Maley is an American journalist recognized for his sharp and insightful reporting on social and political issues. His work is known for its depth, integrity, and the ability to highlight critical societal concerns.