Apple Reintroduces Redesigned Blood Oxygen Feature to Bypass U.S. Import Ban
Apple has also formally appealed the ITC’s ruling.
Cupertino, CA – Apple has officially reintroduced its Blood Oxygen monitoring feature to select models of the Apple Watch, following a redesign that allows the tech giant to sidestep a U.S. import ban.
The redesigned feature, available on newly sold Watch Series 8, Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra models, now shifts the blood oxygen processing to the user’s paired iPhone. The results will appear exclusively in the Respiratory section of the iPhone’s Health app, and will no longer be viewable directly on the watch itself, according to a report from TechCrunch.
The change comes after U.S. Customs approved the importation of Apple Watches with the modified functionality, following an earlier ruling by the International Trade Commission (ITC) that blocked imports of certain Apple Watch models due to patent infringement.
Only devices sold after the ITC ban took effect in early 2024 will include the redesigned feature. Watches purchased before the ruling, or from outside the United States, remain unaffected. Apple users will need to update both their iPhone and Apple Watch software to activate the new functionality. The required updates are expected to roll out this Thursday.
The move marks the latest development in Apple’s ongoing legal battle with Masimo, a U.S.-based medical technology firm. Masimo has accused Apple of stealing its pulse oximetry technology after initial talks of a potential partnership. In 2023, the ITC sided with Masimo, concluding that Apple had infringed on its patents, leading to a ban on the import of certain Apple Watch models with the original blood oxygen sensor.
In response, Apple not only removed the feature from affected devices but also filed a lawsuit against Masimo, claiming the company copied several Apple Watch innovations in its own product line. Apple has also formally appealed the ITC’s ruling.
The reintroduction of the Blood Oxygen feature via iPhone processing represents Apple’s workaround while the legal dispute continues to unfold.
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