After we polled Cult of Mac readers on what function they need most in Apple Watch Sequence 11, the reply got here via loud and clear: Convey again the Blood Oxygen app! Not one of the rumored upcoming Apple Watch options drew extra consideration than one which went lacking final yr over a patent dispute.
Sadly, the Blood Oxygen app stays tied up in U.S. courts. Apple must work out the issue, and shortly. The lacking Blood Oxygen app is undoubtedly hurting Apple Watch gross sales and angering clients. And it’s solely going to worsen when the Apple Watch Sequence 11 and Extremely 3 launch subsequent month — assuming Apple doesn’t provide you with a workaround.
Apple Watch Blood Oxygen app: A lacking important
A few of you might be possible confused at this level as a result of your Apple Watch has the Blood Oxygen app, which measures oxygen saturation ranges within the wearer’s bloodstream. Should you dwell exterior the USA, this drawback doesn’t have an effect on you. The identical is true in case you use an older Apple Watch in the USA.
Since early 2024, Apple has been forbidden to put in the Blood Oxygen app, which pulls knowledge from an optical sensor, on new Apple Watch fashions bought in the USA. The sensor itself stays within the Apple Watches, and the app will be reinstalled when (or if) Apple settles the authorized dispute.
However till it does, no new Apple Watch bought in the USA will embrace the Blood Oxygen app.
Dangerous information for the 2025 Apple Watch Sequence 11 and Extremely 3
If you’re an American with an older Apple Watch who makes use of the Blood Oxygen app, you could suppose laborious earlier than upgrading to one of many 2025 fashions. You’ll lose that function in case you do. (Learn our deep dive into tips on how to use the Apple Watch’s blood oxygen sensor, and what it’s good for, to see what you’d be giving up.)
You continue to could be all for considered one of Cupertino’s new wearables, particularly if the Apple Watch Extremely 3 and Apple Watch Sequence 11 get the rumored blood stress development detection function. However we all know loads of Cult of Mac readers suppose getting the Blood Oxygen app again is essential. Early this week, our free Cult of Mac Right this moment publication (which you must subscribe to) included a ballot asking readers which rumored Sequence 11 function they have been most enthusiastic about. Returning the Blood Oxygen app received practically 50% of all of the votes. It simply beat each different risk.
Chart: Cult of Mac
Dangerous for everybody
A scenario the place customers need the newest Apple Watch however gained’t get it as a result of it lacks a function their older model has is unhealthy for customers and unhealthy for Apple.
Certainly I don’t want to clarify why the lacking Blood Oxygen app is irritating for U.S. customers. A function their present Apple Watch has is just not an choice for a brand new mannequin, regardless that customers of the identical wearable in different international locations acquire entry to it.
On the opposite aspect of the coin, the issue is undoubtedly costing Apple cash. The autumn quarter of 2023 was the final earlier than Apple pulled the Blood Oxygen app from new Apple Watches, and Cupertino’s income from wearables has dropped each quarter since then. Each single one.
This can be a drawback that urgently wants fixing.
Why Apple Watch Blood Oxygen app went lacking
On the coronary heart of the issue is a courtroom battle that pits Apple in opposition to Irvine, California.-based Masimo Corp. and its sibling firm, Cercacor Laboratories. The alleged patent infringement includes light-based pulse oximeters that measure blood oxygen. The info can be utilized to establish respiratory issues, lung illness, circulation points and different medical circumstances.
Whereas creating the model of the tech that goes into the Apple Watch, Cupertino made some fascinating hires. They included Marcelo Lamego (Cercacor’s chief expertise officer), Michael O’Reilly (Masimo’s chief medical officer) and 30 different Masimo staff. Masimo argues that these former staff gave Apple proprietary info — and that the Apple Watch violates Masimo’s patents.
The corporate satisfied courtroom after courtroom that it was in the fitting, to the purpose that the Worldwide Commerce Fee banned the import into the USA of Apple Watches that use the disputed expertise.
To be clear, Masimo is just not a patent troll — an organization that does nothing however sue profitable product makers utilizing dodgy patent-infringement claims. Masimo took in $2 billion in 2024 promoting wearables with pulse oximeters.
Write them a verify, Apple
The long-term answer that’s a win for everybody is for Apple to license the patents in query. It’s time the iPhone maker provides up hope on discovering another technique to do the identical job with out infringing on Masimo’s patents.
Write Masimo a verify, Apple. Courtroom after courtroom agrees you’re within the flawed. You’re solely hurting your self and your clients. Please cease.
Fingers crossed on Blood Oxygen app in 2025 Apple Watches
We will look ahead to Apple unveiling the Apple Watch Sequence 11 and Extremely 3 subsequent month (possible on September 8). The very best factor U.S. Apple Watch followers can hope for through the launch occasion is an announcement that Apple reached a patent-licensing cope with Masimo that returns the Blood Oxygen app to all Apple Watches in the USA, new and previous.
If that occurs, there’ll be a burst of gross sales as many individuals utilizing older Apple Watch fashions improve to the brand new ones. If it doesn’t, Apple possible can look ahead to one other quarter of declining income from wearables. And a complete lot of pissed off clients.
