Apple will redesign its smartwatch to remove the pulse oximeter function to allow it to continue to be sold in the United States.
New Apple Watches will no longer be able to measure oxygen concentration in the blood stream.
The backstory: Apple had been banned from importing the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 because they violated patents owned by Masimo for the pulse oximeter function.
- The ban was enacted on Dec. 26 of last year, but the ban was temporarily lifted the next day as Apple appealed the ruling in court.
The big picture: Court filings from Monday show that Apple has proposed to redesign the Apple Watch to not contain the pulse oximeter function and not infringe on Masimo’s patent.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection found that the redesign would allow Apple to continue importing the smartwatches, court documents showed.
What they’re saying: “Apple’s claim that its redesigned watch does not contain pulse oximetry is a positive step toward accountability,” a Masimo spokesperson said in a statement.
