Apple Watch Series 10 Skips Blood Oxygen Feature in the US

While Apple highlighted several new health features for the Apple Watch Series 10 at the iPhone 16 event, a key feature is missing for US users: blood oxygen monitoring. This functionality, introduced with the Series 6, is absent from the latest Apple Watch models sold in the US due to an ongoing legal battle with medical device company Masimo.

• The blood oxygen feature was disabled on the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 late last year following a court order related to the patent dispute.
• Apple has been fighting Masimo's lawsuit since its inception.
• The removal of the blood oxygen feature on the Series 10 could be due to a hardware change or a software disablement. It's unclear at this time which approach Apple has taken.

Masimo's Patent Dispute

Apple has been locked in a legal battle with Masimo, a medical device company, over patent infringement claims concerning the blood oxygen monitoring technology. The dispute began in 2020 when Masimo filed a lawsuit against Apple, alleging that the company's blood oxygen sensor technology infringed on its patents.

• The patent dispute led to an injunction preventing Apple from selling Apple Watches with the blood oxygen feature in the US.
• Apple responded by disabling the blood oxygen feature on the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 late last year.
• Despite the legal challenges, Apple continues to defend its technology and fight Masimo's claims.

Other New Health Features for Apple Watch Series 10

Despite the absence of the blood oxygen feature in the US, the Apple Watch Series 10 boasts a range of other health features, including sleep apnea detection.

• Sleep apnea detection, a new feature available globally, helps users identify potential sleep disorders.
• Apple also highlighted other health features available on the Series 10, including heart rate tracking, ECG, and fall detection.

The Impact on Apple Watch Sales

The absence of the blood oxygen feature could potentially impact Apple Watch sales in the US. Some consumers might be discouraged from purchasing the smartwatch if they rely on this feature for health monitoring.

• Apple may face challenges in convincing US consumers to purchase the Series 10 without this essential health feature.
• It remains to be seen how the legal battle with Masimo will impact the availability of blood oxygen monitoring on future Apple Watch models.

Apple Watch and the Future of Health Monitoring

Apple's Apple Watch has become a popular wearable for health monitoring, offering a wide range of health features. The company has been expanding its health capabilities and leveraging the smartwatch for various health-related purposes.

• The patent dispute highlights the growing importance of health monitoring technology and the legal challenges associated with it.
• Apple continues to invest in its health features and is expected to further enhance its Apple Watch capabilities in the future.