Apple Revives Blood Oxygen Monitoring on New Watch Models Amid Legal Challenges
Apple has announced the rollout of a revamped blood oxygen monitoring feature for the Apple Watch Series 9, 10, and Ultra 2, circumventing an import ban imposed by the International Trade Commission (ITC), reports 24brussels.
Beginning today, the updated software will enable this feature, although the data will now be processed on the user’s paired iPhone rather than displayed directly on the watch. Consequently, while users can access their blood oxygen levels in the iPhone’s Health app, they will not be able to view this data on their wrist.
This modification is limited to units sold after January 17, 2024, when the ITC ban took effect. Existing models sold prior to this date and those outside the U.S. will maintain the original blood oxygen feature. Users should check for model eligibility by looking for a serial number ending in LW/A, and to access the new feature, devices must be updated to watchOS 11.6.1 and iOS 18.6.1.
Apple has been embroiled in a legal battle with Masimo, a manufacturer renowned for its pulse oximeters. In 2020, Masimo accused Apple of infringing on multiple patents and stealing trade secrets, which led to a counter-suit from Apple claiming Masimo’s smartwatches infringe on its own patents. Following Masimo’s complaint with the ITC in 2021, an import ban was enacted in December 2023, resulting in today’s feature redesign. Apple is currently appealing this ruling, while several of Masimo’s patents are set to expire in 2028.
The situation highlights the ongoing tensions in the tech industry around innovation, intellectual property, and regulatory challenges, as Apple seeks to adapt its offerings while navigating complex legal landscapes.
