On Thursday, Apple announced that select flagship smartwatch models will receive a redesigned blood oxygen sensor, which had been on hold for years due to a patent dispute.
Software Update Expands Blood Oxygen Feature to Multiple Apple Watch Models
According to Apple, software updates will bring this feature to various Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 Apple Watch models. Apple wrote in a blog post, “A recent US Customs ruling made this update possible.”
Last January, Apple paused sales of its newest smartwatch models in the US due to a patent dispute with health technology company Masimo.
Southern California-based Masimo lodged a complaint with the US International Trade Commission (ITC), which ruled to block imports of certain Apple Watch models due to a patented blood-oxygen detection technology.
Since Apple produces most of its products abroad, the ITC has authority over the patent dispute.
Patent Dispute with Masimo Temporarily Affected Apple Watch Sales
Reports indicate that Apple had removed the technology from the affected smartwatches at the time and then resumed sales. Masimo claimed it developed the technology and accused Apple of recruiting key employees to gain access to its expertise.
Apple, however, argued that the ITC’s ruling was incorrect and appealed the decision in a US federal court.
Apple heavily markets its smartwatch for fitness and health, highlighting features such as monitoring irregular heartbeats, detecting falls, tracking sleep apnea, and measuring harmful noise levels.
Read the original article on: Tech Xplore