Apple plans to remove blood-oxygen feature from smartwatches

Apple Inc. is mulling removing the blood oxygen sensor from its latest smartwatches - Series 9 and Ultra 2, to get around a US ban of the devices if an appeal of the decision fails.

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Apple is pursuing a bid to overturn a US ruling that had blocked the use of its technology.

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According to reports, the US Customs and Border Protection has approved the potential redesign of Apple Smartwatches Series 9, and Ultra 2 sans that blood-oxygen sensor.

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Analysts have speculated the removal of blood oxygen sensor could come through a software update.

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The dispute occurred after Masimo Corp, a Southern California company, pursued a patent claim against Apple.

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The US Customs and Border Protection “decided that Apple’s redesign falls outside the scope" of an import ban by the US International Trade Commission.

Source: ANI

Apple will need an extended stay to continue selling the watches with the blood-oxygen sensors as part of the company's effort to position the products as health-monitoring devices.

Source: Apple

Until then, the Apple Watch blood-oxygen feature continues to be available on newly sold units, the Cupertino, California-based company said.

Source: AP