Apple Watch SOS: Series 9 & Ultra 2 Disappear Over Blood Oxygen Tech!

Based on allegations made in 2021 by Masimo, a medical technology company headquartered in Irvine, California, Apple has been accused of infringing upon Masimo’s patented technology with the photoplethysmography (PPG) blood oxygen measurement feature used in the Apple Watch. As a result of a prohibition order issued by the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) in October this year, Apple has announced a temporary suspension of sales for the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 on their official website starting December 21st, with retail channels including Apple Stores ceasing sales from December 24th.

The Apple Watch, embroiled in a patent infringement controversy, will see a temporary halt in sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 within the United States.

Apple has stated that although the lawsuit was recently adjudicated in court and has now moved to a 60-day Presidential review, the outcome will not be disclosed until after December 25th. Consequently, Apple will temporarily suspend sales of the affected products within the United States but will continue sales in international markets.

Apple plans to appeal the decision but might also consider settling with Masimo, or potentially disabling the affected feature (such as the blood oxygen measurement function in the U.S.) through a software update. Specific details are expected to be announced after December 25th, with a commitment to swiftly resume normal sales of the impacted products.

In a separate but related development, Apple had also filed a design patent infringement claim against Masimo in October of the previous year, alleging that Masimo’s smartwatch design had copied that of the Apple Watch.