The upcoming unavailability isn’t due to a dangerous safety recall notice. It’s actually an ongoing patent dispute. According to legal filings, medical technology manufacturer Masimo claims Apple cloned its blood oxygen sensor tech hardware following a series of collaboration discussions that began in 2013. Although the two parties ultimately failed to team up, Masimo alleges that Apple stole tech information obtained during its meetings for its forthcoming Apple Watch design, as well as poached a number of Masimo employees.
The specific blood oxygen monitor technology in dispute is only available in the latest Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 models, hence the specific moratoriums. When enabled, the latest wearable optical system emits red and near-infrared light onto a wrist’s “blood perfused tissue.” Light sensors then detect and process re-emitted photo-signals into what are known as photop