Apple to pull blood-oxygen tool from watches to avoid US ban if appeal fails

An Apple Watch 9 displaying the blood-oxygen level detection settings, in Los Angeles on Dec 26, 2023. The iPhone maker developed a software workaround intended to sidestep the dispute and presented the solution last week to the customs agency, which is in charge of enforcing import bans. — AFP

Apple Inc is planning to remove its blood-oxygen feature from its latest smartwatches – the Series 9 and Ultra 2 – to get around a US ban of the devices if an appeal of the decision fails.

The plan was disclosed Monday by Masimo Corp, which has been locked in a feud with Apple over patents related to the technology. It said that US Customs and Border Protection approved the move on Jan 12.