Posted on 12/19/2023 11:36:05 AM PST by Red Badger
Apple is halting the sale of some of its leading Apple Watch models in the United States just a week before Christmas.
The Big Tech company announced that it will no longer sell the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 in the U.S. starting later this week. The decision was made in response to a patent dispute between Apple and the MedTech company Masimo over sensors on its device. The devices will still be usable, but finding one after Dec. 26 will become impossible in the U.S.
Here's everything you need to know about Apple suspending sales of its watches.
Why is the Apple Watch going to stop selling?
The U.S. International Trade Commission ruled in October that specific models of the Apple Watch breach patents held by Masimo. The company was given a 60-day "Presidential Review Period" to allow the White House to provide input on the matter. That period will end on Dec. 26.
Masimo alleged that Apple's reputation for innovation is unearned and that it has made a practice of "efficient infringement," according to the New York Times. This is when a company uses another company's technology and deals with the legal fallout afterward. Apple, as a trillion-dollar company, has the funding required to shoulder any possible legal fees or court cases.
Apple maintains that it respected Masimo's intellectual property, according to court documents. However, Masimo presented evidence that Apple had hired its former chief medical officer and 20 other employees from the company. This indirect process would have allowed Apple access to the intellectual power behind Masimo's products. For example, Apple could have used the chief medical officer's expertise to design its oxygen tracker.
What is Apple doing about it?
"Apple's teams work tirelessly to create products and services that empower users with industry-leading health, wellness, and safety features," the company told 9to5Mac. "Apple strongly disagrees with the order and is pursuing a range of legal and technical options to ensure that Apple Watch is available to customers."
The company appears to be waiting for the White House to act. President Joe Biden could decide to veto the original order during the 60-day period and allow Apple Watches to be sold after the deadline. However, the White House has yet to comment on the situation.
The company can also appeal the ITC's decision in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit once the review period has ended. However, that will not affect the ban, which means the devices will be unavailable for an extended period of time.
Which Apple Watches are affected?
The current patents only apply to blood oxygen trackers in the Series 6, 7, 8, and 9 of Apple Watches and the Ultra models. Users can still purchase the Apple Watch SE, which does not have the blood oxygen monitor installed.
It's unclear how long the ban will remain in place. The appeal process could take months or years.
Ping!...................
flu ravaging the child sweatshops in Asia?
Patent dispute.................
I have a sundial in my front yard near an apple tree. Does that count?
President Joetato will make the decision?
WTF? A decision like this comes down to ONE MAN in the country? And a man who can’t decide if his Depends needs changing?
I already mine too bad so sad
Only if you ‘watch’ it........................
You will need a “Presidential Review Period” to take a look at that sundial.
Already have mine
There’s enough cheap Chinese knockoffs out there to fill the bill.................
My Chinese knockoff does too...................😉😁
Joe won’t be much help. He’s trying to figure out why anyone would wear an apple on their wrist.
What brand? I may be interested.
I’ve read about these watches warning people they have an irregular heartbeat and/or warning them to see a doctor. Combining the heart sensor, with EMS notification, gps, and emergency satellite connection... great use of tech.
Advanced SpO2 Monitoring: Monitor your blood oxygen saturation levels in real-time throughout your day. Even as you sleep. (Not intended for medical use)
Detailed Heart Rate Monitoring：Include 24/7 monitoring, a detailed graphs identifying active and resting heart rate averages. You can also set a max heart rate warning to notify you if/when you’re within a certain target range.
Automatic Sleep Tracking: See detailed sleep data, such as deep sleep, light sleep, REM sleep, and intermittent wake periods.
14 Sports Modes: Pick from a variety of both indoor and outdoor trackable sports activities and review a detailed summary of your physical activity.
Daily Activity Tracking: Track your daily steps, distance traveled, or calories burned right from your smart watch. See more detailed information when paired with the Letsfit mobile app.
Model No.: IW1
Sync: Bluetooth 5.0
Screen: 1.4”” TFT LCD
Battery Capacity: 250mAh
Working Voltage: 5V-500Ma
Working Temperature: -10℃ to 40℃
Weight: 1.2oz (34g)
Waterproof Rating: IP68
Working Time: 10days
My wife received her Apple Watch 9 a month ago. Good thing she’s not beholden to Joetato’s “decision” making.
It’s got a pickleball feature on it which she loves.
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