Apple has decided to remove the blood oxygen measuring feature from some of its latest Apple Watches in the United States. This move comes as the company faces a lawsuit from health technology firm Masimo, based in California. The legal dispute began when the International Trade Commission (ITC) found that Apple’s smartwatches infringed upon Masimo’s patents.
To comply with the ruling and continue selling its watches in the US, Apple will release versions of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 without the blood oxygen feature. These watches are set to go on sale soon. The decision to remove features from already released products is uncommon for tech companies like Apple. However, the company aims to ensure limited disruption for customers while the legal battle continues.
The dispute with Masimo revolves around allegations that Apple hired Masimo employees and used their technology to develop pulse oximetry devices for its smartwatches. Despite the ban on watches with the contested sensors, Apple secured a temporary reprieve from a US court, allowing the devices to remain available through various channels.
The Apple Watch is a crucial product category for Apple, contributing nearly $40 billion in sales from wearables in 2023. This category includes headphones, but the watches play a significant role. Masimo’s founder and CEO, Joe Kiani, emphasized that the ruling underscores the importance of respecting intellectual rights, even for large companies like Apple.
In summary, Apple is making adjustments to its latest watches in response to a legal challenge, removing the blood oxygen feature to comply with the ITC ruling and continue sales in the US market.
