Apple is taking out a feature that measures blood oxygen levels from two of its watch models to prevent a sales ban on those devices in the United States, as reported by Bloomberg.
Last year, Apple stopped selling its Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 Apple Watch models due to a long-standing patent dispute with a health technology company called Masimo, which makes pulse oximeters.
This tool measures the amount of oxygen in the red blood cells of the person wearing the device. Low levels of blood oxygen can lead to serious health issues, such as damage to the brain, heart, and other organs, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
The International Trade Commission (ITC) decided that the blood oxygen sensors in Apple’s watches infringed on Masimo’s patents, leading to a ban on the devices starting December 26. Apple has appealed this decision, and the ban has been temporarily stopped, allowing the company to resume selling the watches in the U.S.
Apple’s decision to take the tool out of its watches was referred to by Masimo in a statement as “a positive step toward accountability.”
“It is especially important that one of the world’s largest and most powerful companies respects the intellectual property rights of smaller companies and complies with ITC orders when it is caught infringing,” a spokeswoman for Masimo stated.
Changed Apple watches have been sent to the company’s stores in the U.S., but they’re not officially allowed for sale yet, according to Bloomberg. If you’re looking to get the blood oxygen measurement feature, double-check to make sure it’s there before buying.
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