Apple’s latest Series 10 watch models unveiled at the iPhone 16 event are missing a key health feature – the blood oxygen monitoring capability. While this feature was eagerly anticipated by consumers, it will not be available on Series 10 watches sold in the U.S. This absence may come as a disappointment to many, considering that health features have become a crucial selling point for Apple’s wearable devices.
The exclusion of the blood oxygen feature on the Series 10 watches is a direct result of Apple’s ongoing patent dispute with medical device company Masimo. This legal battle has been a hurdle for Apple, forcing them to disable the feature on previous models such as the Series 9 and Ultra 2. It remains unclear whether the absence of the blood oxygen feature on the Series 10 is a permanent hardware change or a temporary software disablement, similar to the Series 9.
If the removal of the blood oxygen feature is indeed a hardware issue, Apple may have had to develop separate models for different markets. This discrepancy in features raises questions about the company’s strategy and design process. The global market will have access to the new technology, highlighting the complexities of navigating legal disputes while still meeting consumer expectations.
Apple has not provided much clarity on the situation, leaving consumers and experts alike speculating about the reasons behind the missing feature. The company’s focus on unveiling new health features for the Series 10, such as sleep apnea detection, indicates a continued commitment to innovation despite legal challenges. The true impact of the patent battle on Apple’s smartwatch lineup remains to be seen as consumers interact with the new devices.
Apple’s ongoing patent battle with Masimo has had a significant impact on the features available in the Series 10 watch models. The absence of the blood oxygen monitoring feature reflects the complexities of intellectual property disputes in the tech industry and raises questions about the future of health technology in wearable devices. As Apple continues to navigate this legal challenge, consumers can only wait and see how it will shape the company’s product offerings in the long run.