STAT+: Apple Watch pulse oximeter feature removed to comply with ban
Apple will remove the blood oxygen measurement feature from its Apple Watches, the company announced Thursday.
Apple will remove the blood oxygen measurement feature from its Apple Watches, the company announced Thursday. It’s the latest twist in a saga between Apple and medical device company Masimo.
The International Trade Commission issued an import ban against Apple Watches in October after finding the blood oxygen feature too similar to Masimo’s. The ban officially went into effect on Christmas, but a U.S. appeals court temporarily halted the ban two days later. But the court lifted that injunction on Wednesday, forcing Apple to again halt sales.
Rather than pull the watches from the market, Apple decided to remove the blood oxygen feature instead. It will start selling the modified watches on Thursday. Already-purchased Apple Watches will still have the feature. The company is continuing to appeal the ITC ban, but today’s decision is still a setback in Apple’s mission to establish its watch as a necessary public health tool.
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