Apple Revamps Blood Oxygen Monitoring for Apple Watch

In early 2024, the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 models underwent a significant change when Apple was compelled to remove their blood oxygen monitoring feature following a legal dispute. The legal battle involved a patent infringement claim by California-based Masimo, whose patents for light-based pulse oximetry were allegedly violated by Apple’s usage of the technology. To comply with the ruling and avoid an import ban, Apple retracted the feature from its devices.

On a promising note, Apple has announced the return of a reworked blood oxygen monitoring feature to its Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 watches. This development was made possible by a recent decision by U.S. Customs, allowing the revamped version to bypass previous patent disputes. Unlike its predecessor, which displayed results directly on the watch, this redesigned version will process sensor data on the user’s iPhone. Users can access their results in the Health app under the Respiratory section.

This update arrives with the watchOS 11.6.1 and iOS 18.6.1 updates. Notably, Apple Watches sold outside the United States or prior to the import ban are unaffected by this update. The adaptation underscores Apple’s strategy in redesigning its technology to navigate intricate patent landscapes.

The background of this development dates back to a lawsuit filed by Masimo in January 2020. Masimo asserted that, years earlier, discussions with Apple for a potential collaboration or acquisition occurred. However, Apple was accused of recruiting Masimo engineers and utilizing their expertise independently, leading to the subsequent patent controversy.

Through these tech updates and legal navigations, the Apple Watch continues to evolve, providing enhanced health monitoring capabilities in compliance with legal requirements. Apple seems focused on refining their devices' functionalities, ensuring not just innovative but compliant technology.