Apple has one of these The Toughest Patent Cases We Remember. Many companies have made threats so far, but this time Apple had to stop sales of Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 in the USA due to a patent issue. And in order to continue selling them, they had to disable the blood oxygen function of the devices.

Although Apple managed to temporarily stop the Apple Watch sales ban, the time expired and the ban became active again. But since the patents only affect the blood oxygen measurement function, Apple has started selling Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 without this functionality in the US to avoid blocking.

In a statement 9to5macApple communicated the following:

Apple’s appeal is ongoing, and we believe that the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit should reverse the USITC’s decision. We strongly disagree with the USITC’s decision and the resulting orders.

Pending the appeal, Apple is taking steps to comply with the ruling while ensuring customers can access the Apple Watch with limited disruptions. These steps include introducing a version of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 without a blood oxygen feature in the United States. It has no effect on previously purchased Apple Watch units that have blood oxygen feature.

Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, which do not feature blood oxygen, will be available on apple.com starting at 6 a.m. PT on January 18 and in Apple stores starting on January 18.

Blood Oxygen app available on Apple Watch Series 6

We understand that these Apple Watch models have a special version of watchOS 10 that disables blood oxygen measurement. So, There is no loss of the sensor, the function is simply disabled. Apple says the app appears, but a special message will appear when you press the app.

Blood Oxygen application is no longer available. Learn more in the Health app on your iPhone.

That means if Apple wins the case with Masimo over this patent fight, Re-enable this feature via an update on Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra sold during this time software.