"Apple Alters Watch Design to Evade Import Ban and Eliminates Blood Oxygen Monitoring"

Apple has redesigned its Apple Watches to circumvent an import ban imposed by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) after a patent infringement dispute with Masimo. The ban was related to the watches' pulse oximeters, which read blood oxygen levels, infringing on Masimo's patents. Apple's redesigned watches reportedly do not contain pulse oximetry functionality, allowing them to bypass the import ban. The company's appeal is pending before the Federal Circuit, which will rule on its motion to continue the ban pause. Versions of the Apple Watch without the blood oxygen sensor are unaffected by the dispute.