Apple Started Shipping New Apple Watch Models Without Blood Oxygen Measurement
Apple is preparing to release modified Apple Watch models that lack blood oxygen monitoring capabilities, according to a legal notice in an appeal case involving Apple and Masimo. This case pertains to the ongoing dispute over Apple's alleged patent infringement of Masimo’s patents.
The modified Apple Watch models, which include the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, will be specific to the US market. This change may occur if Apple faces a ban on selling Apple Watch models with blood oxygen measurement capabilities, pending the outcome of Apple’s legal battle with Masimo over these features. Apple might temporarily adopt this workaround to avoid having to completely stop sales of their brand-new Apple Watches in the US market.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that these modified Apple Watch models are ready for release to the public if necessary. In fact, Apple has already started shipping these modified Apple Watch units to its Apple Store retail stores. Apple retains the option to reinstate blood oxygen measurement capabilities if its appeal is successful though.
Bloomberg also notes that Apple Watches already sold are not expected to be impacted by this change, indicating that no software updates to disable this functionality should be anticipated. Apple Watch owners outside the US are also not expected to be affected by this.
