Apple Watch Series 9, Watch Ultra 2 Sales Halted in the US; Company Reportedly Working on Software Fix

Apple Watch Series 9: Apple Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 sales will soon be halted in the US. This comes after an International Trade Commission (ITC) ruling surrounding a patent dispute between Apple and Masimo, a medical technology company that claims that Apple Watch’s blood oxygen sensor technology violates several of their patents. The Apple Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 have been making waves in the tech world, with their innovative features and sleek designs.

However, recent reports suggest that sales of these highly anticipated smartwatches have been halted in the US. Rumors are swirling that Apple is working on a software fix to address some issues that have been reported by early adopters. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the details of this news and discuss what it means for consumers who are eagerly awaiting the release of these new Apple Watches. So, if you’re considering purchasing one of these devices or simply curious about the latest developments in the world of smartwatches, keep reading to find out more.

Apple Watch Series 9 2024

Sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 are set to cease in the United States following a ruling by the International Trade Commission (ITC) regarding a patent dispute between Apple and Masimo, a medical technology company. Masimo alleges that Apple’s blood oxygen sensor technology infringes upon several of their patents. The case is currently undergoing a 60-day Presidential Review Period, which concludes on December 25. Additionally, there are indications that Apple, based in Cupertino, is working on a software update to modify how the affected watches measure blood oxygen levels in an attempt to circumvent a potential sales ban.

Apple has confirmed that starting from 3pm ET on Thursday, December 21, the Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Series 9 will no longer be available for purchase through their US website. Additionally, Apple retail locations will also stop selling these products after December 24. This decision is a result of an ITC ruling that prohibits Apple from selling these specific models. However, it’s important to note that the ruling only applies to direct sales from Apple, so customers can still find the products through other channels such as Amazon or Best Buy. It should be noted though, that if the ban comes into effect after December 25, Apple will also be restricted from selling these models to resellers, potentially causing a shortage in availability.

Apple Watch Series 9 Details

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Apple Watch Series 9, Watch Ultra 2 Sales Halted in the US

According to a report from Bloomberg, Apple is reportedly making efforts to modify the algorithms and software used for blood oxygen monitoring on its Watch Ultra 2 and Watch Series 9 models in response to the ban. Citing sources within Apple, the report states that the company intends to change how the technology determines oxygen saturation and presents the data to customers.
In January, a judge from the International Trade Commission (ITC) determined that Apple had violated one of Masimo’s five patents related to the utilization of light sensors for measuring blood oxygen levels. Initially, Apple disagreed with this ruling and requested a comprehensive review by the Commission.

However, in October, the ITC issued an order that has the potential to prohibit Apple from importing the affected Apple Watches, effectively resulting in a ban. After the order was issued, a 60-day period known as the Presidential Review Period began. During this time, the US President has the authority to intervene and reject the ITC ban. Currently, there has been no action taken by President Joe Biden or his office regarding this matter. The review period is scheduled to end on December 25th, and if no changes are made by then, the sales prohibition on the Apple Watch 9 Series and Watch Ultra 2 will come into force.

Apple has stated that they are making this announcement “preemptively” before the end of the review period in order to comply with the ITC ruling. If the ban is enforced, it will only affect the sale of Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 models, as these are the models that have blood oxygen sensors. Lower-end models such as the Apple Watch SE will not be impacted.

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Apple Watch sales to stop?

On Thursday, Apple intends to cease online sales of the prohibited watches and remove them from its physical stores by December 24. The company is confident that implementing software modifications will suffice in making the device available for purchase once again. Nevertheless, the patents in question primarily pertain to hardware components, such as the technique used to emit light into the skin for measuring blood oxygen levels.

Apple plans to present an alternative solution to the US customs agency, which oversees revisions necessary for reintroducing a product to the market. However, Masimo has expressed their belief that a software fix alone will not suffice and that changes must be made to the hardware. Apple is getting ready with different legal and technical approaches in case the ban continues. They are making preparations in their stores by promoting the Apple Watch but without displaying any images of the Series 9 and Ultra 2 models, which are affected by the ban. However, customers will still have access to the lower-end SE watch.

Apple is currently working on both hardware and software solutions. However, introducing new technology into the market will require a significant amount of time. If Apple needs to remove hardware from their devices, it could take a minimum of three months to produce and ship new models. This estimation does not account for the additional time needed for customs agency approval.

What does the blood-oxygen feature do?

The blood-oxygen feature, which was initially launched on the Apple Watch through the Series 9 model in 2024, is currently being closely examined. In the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, doctors utilized this feature to assess how the virus affected patients’ respiratory functions. This feature enables constant monitoring of an individual’s blood-oxygen levels throughout the entire day. Additionally, users can obtain an immediate reading within approximately 15 seconds, with a target range between 95% and 100%.

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Conclusion

The Apple Watch Series 9 has garnered a lot of attention, but recent reports suggest that sales have been halted in the US due to software issues. While this may be disappointing for some eager customers, it’s important to remember that Apple is known for its commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. The company is reportedly working on a software fix to address these issues and ensure that customers can enjoy the full capabilities of the Apple Watch Series 9. As an industry leader in smartwatches, Apple will undoubtedly find a solution and resume sales soon. In the meantime, stay tuned for updates and keep an eye out for when the Apple Watch Series 9 becomes available again.

Apple Watch Series 9 2024 FAQ’S

[sc_fs_multi_faq headline-0=”h3″ question-0=”Why is my Apple Watch not updating software?” answer-0=”Make sure that your Apple Watch is connecting properly to its charger.” image-0=”” headline-1=”h3″ question-1=”Can I take Apple Watch from USA to India?” answer-1=”A cellular watch bought in the US will only function in North America, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico anywhere else it will function as a GPS only watch.” image-1=”” headline-2=”h3″ question-2=”Why is the Apple Watch update paused?” answer-2=”You need to make sure the device is charged to at least 50%, connected to the charger, and the iPhone needs to be connected to stable wi-fi, charged to at least 50%, and also connected to power.” image-2=”” count=”3″ html=”true” css_class=””]

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