In a recent development in the ongoing legal dispute between Apple and medical technology company Masimo, the future of certain Apple Watch models hangs in the balance. Masimo has accused Apple of infringing on its patents related to the light-based technology used in the blood oxygen monitoring feature present in Apple Watch Series 6 and above.
The issue came to a head in December 2023 when the US International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled in favor of Masimo. This ruling threatened to ban the import and sale of certain Apple Watch models in the US, including the Series 9 and Ultra 2, which incorporate the contested technology.
However, the legal saga took a surprising turn in January 2024 when a federal appeals court reinstated the import ban, temporarily halting the sale of these Apple Watch models in the US. This decision dealt a significant blow to Apple, forcing the tech giant to remove the blood oxygen monitoring functionality from its watches sold in the US while negotiations with Masimo continue.
While Apple is still selling these Watch models in other countries, users in the US are left in limbo, unsure if they’ll ever regain access to this feature. Furthermore, the fate of users with older Apple Watches equipped with blood oxygen sensors remains uncertain, as it’s unclear if they’ll receive software updates related to the functionality.
As the legal battle between Apple and Masimo drags on, consumers eagerly await a resolution. The outcome of this dispute could have far-reaching implications not only for the tech industry but also for the future of wearable health technology. Until then, users will have to wait and see how this high-stakes legal drama unfolds.
-Priyal Singh
