Apple has decided to cease the sale of smartwatches equipped with blood oxygen tracking, a move that could significantly influence the company’s future healthcare endeavours, as highlighted by Mark Gurman in his latest ‘Power On’ newsletter. The decision comes in response to a federal appeals court denying an extended halt on the International Trade Commission (ITC) ban, marking the first instance of a company successfully convincing the ITC to restrict an Apple product feature.
The ongoing patent dispute raises questions about Apple’s anticipated health features, particularly sleep apnea detection requiring reliable blood oxygen data. Gurman’s insights suggest that the battle over the sensor introduces uncertainty, casting doubt on the accuracy of health-related features expected in 2024.
Apple’s strategy to avoid the import ban on the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 has drawn criticism from Masimo Corp.’s CEO, Joe Kiani. Masimo Corp. initiated the patent infringement lawsuit against Apple. In an interview, Kiani expressed his belief that users are better off without the blood oxygen monitoring feature, claiming it is unreliable due to the ongoing patent dispute.
NEW: Masimo CEO Joe Kiani says customers are better off without the Apple Watch blood oxygen feature, in an interview on Bloomberg TV with @EdLudlow https://t.co/kqEWbNVrDM
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) January 18, 2024
Apple’s decision to halt the sale of smartwatches featuring blood oxygen tracking amid a patent dispute signals a critical juncture with potential repercussions for the company’s healthcare trajectory. The ongoing patent dispute raises uncertainties about Apple’s future health capabilities, particularly the accuracy of anticipated features such as sleep apnea detection, contingent on stable blood oxygen data. Mark Gurman’s insights add a layer of scepticism, casting doubt on the realization of these health-related advancements in 2024.
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