The absence of the blood oxygen feature on the Apple Watch Series 10 in the U.S. market comes as a disappointment to many consumers. This feature, which was introduced with the Series 6 device, has been a significant aspect of Apple’s focus on health and wellness. However, the exclusion of this feature is a direct result of Apple’s ongoing legal battle with the medical device company Masimo.
One of the key questions that arise from this situation is whether the removal of the blood oxygen feature on the Series 10 models was due to a hardware change or if it was simply disabled via software. Apple has not provided clarity on this matter, leaving consumers wondering about the root cause of this decision. It is likely that more information will be revealed once the smartwatch is available for sale, and experts can assess the internal components of the device.
The fact that Apple had to forego such a prominent health feature on its latest wearable devices raises concerns about the company’s ability to innovate in the face of legal challenges. With health and wellness becoming increasingly important to consumers, the absence of the blood oxygen feature could potentially impact Apple’s competitive position in the market. Additionally, if the feature’s removal required a hardware change, Apple may have incurred additional costs to produce different models for different markets.
Despite the setback caused by the exclusion of the blood oxygen feature on the Series 10 models, Apple has emphasized its commitment to advancing health technologies. The announcement of new health features such as sleep apnea detection demonstrates Apple’s continued efforts to enhance the functionality of its wearable devices. As the company navigates its legal dispute with Masimo, it will be interesting to see how this situation shapes Apple’s future product developments and strategy in the health tech industry.