Apple is reportedly removing the pulse oximeter from the Apple Watch so it can be imported into the United States without legal issues. In December, after medical technology company Masimo accused Apple of stealing blood oxygen monitoring technology, the device was temporarily banned from import.
Documents filed in federal court on Monday revealed that Apple plans to redesign the Watch without a pulse oximeter. Pulse Oximeter, first introduced in 2020 with Apple Watch Series 6, allows users to measure oxygen saturation in the blood, which is useful for monitoring or detecting medical conditions. Apple’s changes will reportedly remove this feature from its devices.
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According to the document, U.S. Customs and Border Protection will allow Apple to resume imports of its watches if the controversial blood oxygen monitoring technology is removed. Massimo also didn’t object to Apple selling the device without a pulse oximeter, describing the proposed Watch modifications as a “positive step toward accountability” for the company.
Masimo has been feuding with Apple for years, first suing the tech giant in January 2020 for allegedly stealing trade secrets. After ruling in favor of Masimo, the U.S. International Trade Commission subsequently banned the import of all Apple devices using the controversial technology. Last October, Apple suspended sales of Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches just days before Christmas. A week later, an appeals court suspended the ban and the company returned the products to shelves.
Apple’s proposed redesign does not mean Apple is giving up on fighting Massimo’s accusations. Still, it could at least serve as a stopgap measure to keep the Apple Watch in U.S. stores for the time being.
