Tag: blood oxygen monitoring

  • Blood Oxygen Monitoring for Apple Watch Series 9, 10, and Ultra 2

    Blood Oxygen Monitoring for Apple Watch Series 9, 10, and Ultra 2

    Key Takeaways

    1. Apple temporarily halted sales of the Apple Watch 9 and Ultra 2 in December 2023 due to a patent dispute with Masimo over blood oxygen monitoring technology.
    2. To resume sales, Apple removed the blood oxygen monitoring feature from these models in January 2024.
    3. Blood oxygen monitoring has been reintroduced through a firmware update scheduled for August 14, 2024, but requires an iPhone for tracking.
    4. Users must upgrade their iPhone to iOS 18.6.1 and Apple Watch to watchOS 11.6.1 to access the feature, which only applies to models sold after January 17, 2024.
    5. Models purchased before January 17, 2024, and those sold outside the US will retain the original blood oxygen monitoring capabilities.

    Back in December 2023, Apple temporarily stopped selling the Apple Watch 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in the United States due to a conflict over its blood oxygen monitoring technology. The company had to back off and remove this feature from those models, but blood oxygen monitoring is making a comeback since Apple has discovered a workaround, although there is a catch.

    Background on the Dispute

    For those who might not know, Apple first added blood oxygen monitoring with the Series 9 smartwatch. At that time, they were entangled in a lengthy patent battle with Masimo, a company that specializes in medical technology and pulse oximeters. Masimo accused Apple of violating its patents, and the International Trade Commission (ITC) sided with Masimo, resulting in a sales ban for the Apple Watch Series 9. Consequently, Apple had to pause sales briefly in December 2023, but by January 2024, it opted to eliminate the blood oxygen feature to restart sales in the US.

    New Update on Features

    Now, Apple has announced that blood oxygen monitoring will be available again on the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 in the US, thanks to a firmware update scheduled for later today (August 14). The way Apple bypassed the ban was by transferring the measurement and calculation of data to the iPhone. The smartwatches will merely gather the required data and send it to the Respiratory section of the Health app, where users can keep track of their levels.

    This adjustment means that an iPhone is necessary to track blood oxygen, and the data won’t be accessible directly on the watch. Users will also need to upgrade their connected iPhone to iOS 18.6.1 and their Apple Watch to watchOS 11.6.1. This change will only apply to Apple Watch models sold after January 17, 2024. Models purchased before this date, as well as those sold outside the US, will still have blood oxygen monitoring capabilities as usual.

    Conclusion

    In summary, Apple is making strides to reintroduce the blood oxygen monitoring feature after overcoming legal hurdles. As always, staying updated with the latest software versions is crucial for users wanting to access these functionalities.

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  • Masimo reveals the Freedom smartwatch featuring blood oxygen monitoring following the Apple Watch prohibition

    Masimo reveals the Freedom smartwatch featuring blood oxygen monitoring following the Apple Watch prohibition

    Masimo, the company that previously sued Apple for proprietary infringement, has recently unveiled its latest smartwatch called the Masimo Freedom. This new smartwatch is a significant step for Masimo as it expands its focus from being solely a medical technology company to now incorporating consumer-friendly gadgets. While Masimo had previously released the Masimo W1 smartwatch in 2023, which was more health-centered, the Freedom smartwatch has the potential to attract a broader customer base.

    The Masimo Freedom prototype was showcased at CES 2024, and it stands out from the Apple Watch with its distinct design. The smartwatch features a round display and a navigation touchbar on the right-hand side, along with a button for selecting objects. Masimo is intentionally creating its own unique identity to avoid any potential patent infringements from Apple. The company aims to emphasize the accuracy of its health monitoring technology through the design of the Freedom smartwatch. According to Masimo, its blood oxygen monitoring is more accurate compared to its competitors. It claims to account for various factors that can affect readings, such as low perfusion, motion, skin pigmentation, or poor blood flow.

    In addition to blood oxygen monitoring, the Masimo Freedom smartwatch offers a range of other health features. These include tracking hydration index, pulse rate variability, pulse rate, respiration rate, and even detecting when a user falls over. Alongside these advanced health monitoring capabilities, the smartwatch also includes standard functionalities like sleep tracking. It continuously monitors vital signs on a per-second basis, making it an excellent choice for the elderly or individuals who require constant health monitoring.

    As for pricing and availability, the Masimo Freedom smartwatch is expected to be released later this year. However, there may be some deviations from the prototype's specifications. The projected cost of the smartwatch is $999, but it is important to note that Masimo is currently awaiting FDA approval for its health features. Interested customers can reserve the Masimo Freedom through the Masimo website by placing a $100 deposit.

    Overall, the Masimo Freedom smartwatch represents a significant expansion for the company into the consumer-friendly gadget market. With its focus on accurate health monitoring and a range of advanced features, it has the potential to appeal to a wide range of users. As Masimo continues to innovate and push the boundaries of wearable technology, it will be interesting to see how the Freedom smartwatch performs in the market.

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