The location of Apple Watch Series 9 e Ultra 2 continues to be dangerously in the balance. The Cupertino company has not yet released an official statement on the matter, but according to the latest news released by Bloomberg it’s yes 9to5mac, the two wearables could go back on sale stably in the United States thanks to a targeted change. However, it would be a downgrade which could cause interest in the smartwatches at the center of the dispute to collapse.
Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2: the downgrade to avoid the definitive ban
Both Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 have been banned in the US at the end of 2023 for infringement of a Masimo company patent concerning a technology for monitoring blood oxygen. The violation was confirmed by International Trade Commissionwho asked the discontinuation of the sale of the two smartwatches last generation.
In response, Apple first withdrew the two wearables from the market, then – through an appeal – requested and obtained a suspension of the ban. The smartwatches are therefore back on the market awaiting a decision from the US Customs and Border Protection its a update promised by the Californian giant.
The update in question is intended to avoid new accusations of patent infringement registered by Masimo. But what is the path to take if the appeal does not go as Apple hoped? According to a letter from Masimo’s lawyers released by 9to5mac, Tim Cook and his associates would have studied a strategy that would result in the removal of the function of pulse oximetry.
The indiscretion launched by goes in the same direction Mark Gurman Of Bloomberg. According to the journalist (who revealed a negative aspect of the upcoming Vision Pro), the new versions of Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 without the feature they would have already been shipped to Apple Stores scattered across the US territory and we would only be waiting for the company’s green light for the sale.
In the meantime, however, an Apple spokesperson confirmed a The Verge that the Series 9 and the Ultra 2 for the moment continue to be available for purchase, and with all the expected features. But until this is not yet clear.