Engineers ‘racing’ on watchOS software update ahead of US Apple Watch sales ban
Apple software engineers are reportedly “racing” to release a watchOS software update that make changes to algorithms related to blood oxygen sensing on the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2.
According to Bloomberg, engineers at Apple are working on changes to way the device measure a user’s blood oxygen level, coming ahead of a looming sales bad of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in the US as part of a ruling by the International Trade Commission.
Masimo, a medical technology company based in the US, filed a lawsuit against Apple, alleging patent infringement concerning blood oxygen sensing technology. This particular feature was introduced with the Apple Watch Series 6 in 2020, providing users with information about the oxygen levels in their blood, typically sought between 95% and 100%. Despite a hung jury in the lawsuit, on October 26, the commission declared Apple in violation and issued both a US import ban and a sales injunction.
Apple’s teams work tirelessly to create products and services that empower users with industry-leading health, wellness, and safety features. 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,” said the iPhone maker on Monday.