Cupertino, California – When Apple unveiled its latest Apple Watch models on September 9, consumers noticed a missing feature in the U.S. market – the blood oxygen sensing technology that had been available on the Apple Watch Series 6 since its launch in 2020. This feature had been disabled due to a patent dispute with medical device maker Masimo nearly a year ago. However, a recent report suggests that the blood oxygen monitoring feature may make a comeback soon.
The departure of Masimo’s longtime CEO, Joe Kiani, has sparked speculation that this could lead to a potential resolution between Apple and Masimo. Experts believe that Kiani’s resignation could pave the way for the two companies to negotiate a deal that would bring back the blood-oxygen sensing technology to new Apple Watches.
For consumers who purchased an Apple Watch Ultra 2 with the blood oxygen monitoring feature, the disabling of this technology on newer models must have been a disappointment. However, the ban only applies to Watches sold in the U.S., with the sensor still operational on devices sold in other regions like the U.K.
While there is no guarantee that changes in leadership will result in a resolution, there is hope that Apple and Masimo could find common ground given the departure of a vocal critic of Apple. There is speculation that a potential agreement between the two companies could see the reinstatement of the blood oxygen monitoring feature on affected Apple Watches.
The future of the relationship between Apple and Masimo remains uncertain, but the possibility of a deal that benefits both parties is not entirely ruled out. Should an agreement be reached, it could also open up opportunities for collaboration in integrating Masimo’s hospital equipment with Apple’s Health app, providing users with more comprehensive health monitoring capabilities. The return of the blood oxygen monitoring feature would undoubtedly be welcomed by consumers who value this health-tracking technology on their smartwatches.