Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 have lost their blood oxygen monitoring feature due to a legal dispute, prompting interest in alternative smartwatches with this capability. Fitbit Sense 2, Garmin Venu 3, and G-Shock Move DW-H5600 are highlighted as top choices, offering various health monitoring features and SpO2 readings. The importance of blood oxygen monitoring, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, is emphasized, and other alternatives like Polar Vantage V3 and Withings ScanWatch 2 are also mentioned.
The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has denied extending an interim stay on the Apple Watch ban, requiring Apple to stop selling certain models with blood oxygen technology. Apple may have to remove the feature to resume sales, as US Customs and Border Protection has approved a measure to do so. The ban stems from a patent battle with Masimo, and despite a temporary lift last month, the ban is set to go back into effect on January 18th.
Apple is halting sales of its Watch Ultra 2 and Watch Series 9 due to an order from the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) related to a technical intellectual property dispute. The order is centered around the blood oxygen monitoring feature found in recent Apple Watches. While the ban only applies to Apple itself, retailers with existing inventory can continue selling the affected devices. Apple is pursuing legal and technical options to address the issue and resume sales. President Biden has the authority to veto ITC rulings, but it is uncertain if he will do so in this case. The dispute between Apple and health tech company Masimo, which developed a mobile pulse oximeter, dates back to 2013.
