Remember those fancy Apple Watches with the cool Blood Oxygen feature? Well, hold on to your hats, folks, because things just got a bit tangled. In the great land of the USA, two of those watches – the Series 9 and the Ultra 2 – are no longer allowed to be sold, at least not with that nifty oxygen measuring trick. Let’s break down why this happened in a way that won’t make your brain spin like a washing machine.
The Big Fight: Picture two companies, Apple (the one with the bitten apple logo) and Masimo (a name you might not know, but they make fancy medical gadgets). Masimo says they invented a special way to measure blood oxygen using light, and they have a fancy piece of paper called a “patent” to prove it. Now, Apple’s watches use a similar way to measure oxygen, and Masimo got grumpy, claiming Apple stole their idea. They went to court, like kids fighting over toys in a sandbox, and a judge said, “Hey Apple, you gotta stop using Masimo’s idea, at least for now.”
The Watch Dilemma: So, what does this mean for you, the Apple Watch fan? Well, if you live in the US and were hoping to score one of those Series 9 or Ultra 2 watches, you’re out of luck for now. Apple can’t sell them with the Blood Oxygen feature turned on because of the court order. It’s like taking the batteries out of a remote control – the watch is still there, but the cool oxygen measuring party is on hold.
What About My Existing Watch?: Don’t fret if you already have one of these watches with the Blood Oxygen feature. For now, you can still use it, and Apple says they’ll try to fix things and get the feature back soon. Think of it like a doctor temporarily putting a cast on your arm – it might be annoying, but it’s to help in the long run.
What’s Next?: The whole situation is like a game of tug-of-war between Apple and Masimo. Apple is appealing the court decision, hoping to get permission to use the Blood Oxygen feature again. It’s like asking the playground teacher to say Masimo started the fight first. Meanwhile, Masimo is cheering for the judge’s decision and hoping it sticks. It’s all a bit messy, but hopefully, things will get sorted out soon.
The Bottom Line: In short, some fancy Apple Watches lost a cool feature in the US due to a legal battle. Don’t panic if you already have one, and keep an eye out for updates. And remember, even without the Blood Oxygen feature, those watches are still pretty darn cool!
Bonus Tip: If you’re curious about measuring your blood oxygen, there are other ways to do it, like with a fancy finger clip thingy at the doctor’s office. Just remember, these watches aren’t medical devices, so don’t rely on them for all your health needs.