Apple to disable blood-oxygen feature on watches sold in US

Apple says it will disable a blood-oxygen monitoring feature on its two most popular watches in the US starting on Thursday, to comply with a court-ordered revival of a sales ban stemming from a patent dispute.

The decision to turn off the blood-oxygen sensor for consumers who buy either the Apple Watch Series 9 or Ultra 2 in the US came after a federal appeals court on Wednesday refused to extend an order that had allowed the watches to remain in stores during a battle over the rights to some of the technology.

A temporary stay issued by the US Court of Appeals three weeks ago had allowed the two watch models to return to shops in the US after Apple pulled them from shelves and websites just before Christmas as part of a long-running battle with medical technology company Masimo.

The US International Trade Commission in late October ruled the sensor in the Apple Watch models infringed on Masimo's patents, a finding that Apple is trying to overturn in an appeals court.

But that process could take at least a year, forcing the California-based company to find another way to keep its premium watches available in the US.

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In a Monday court filing, Masimo disclosed Apple has won approval from the US Customs and Border Protection on revisions that would remove the blood-oxygen sensor from the watches.

Indicating Apple's confidence of winning the appeal of the ITC ruling, the Series 9 and Ultra 2 models sold in the US starting on Thursday will still come with a blood oxygen icon, but when it's pressed, users will be greeted by a notice telling them the technology is not available.

Those who have already bought the Series 9 and Ultra 2 models in the US will still be able to use the blood-oxygen sensor, which will continue to work on those purchased outside the US.

If Apple had opted to stop selling the Series 9 and Ultra 2 in the US, it could have put a small dent in the company’s annual sales of $383 billion.

Although the company doesn’t disclose the volume of Apple Watch sales, analyst estimate the product accounts for about $18 billion in annual revenue.

Apple's lower-cost watch, called the SE, isn't affected by the changes caused by the battle with Masimo because that model has never had the blood oxygen feature.

But that technology, which Apple introduced into its watch line-up in 2020, has been a key part of the company's effort to position the devices as life-saving tools to monitor users' health.

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Results

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Flyweight (52kg): Zoirov Shakhobidin (UZB) beat Amit Panghol (IND) 3-2.

Bantamweight (56kg): Kharkhuu Enkh-Amar (MGL) beat Mirazizbek Mirzahalilov (UZB) 3-2.

Lightweight (60kg): Erdenebat Tsendbaatar (MGL) beat Daniyal Shahbakhsh (IRI) 5-0.

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Super Heavyweight ( 91kg): Jalolov Bakhodir (UZB) beat Kamshibek Kunkabayev (KAZ) 5-0.

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme

Priority access to new homes from participating developers
Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
Flexible payment plans from developers
Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates

Profile

Company: Libra Project

Based: Masdar City, ADGM, London and Delaware

Launch year: 2017

Size: A team of 12 with six employed full-time

Sector: Renewable energy

Funding: $500,000 in Series A funding from family and friends in 2018. A Series B round looking to raise $1.5m is now live.

Like a Fading Shadow

Antonio Muñoz Molina

Translated from the Spanish by Camilo A. Ramirez

Tuskar Rock Press (pp. 310)

Where can I submit a sample?

Volunteers can now submit DNA samples at a number of centres across Abu Dhabi. The programme is open to all ages.

Collection centres in Abu Dhabi include:

Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
Biogenix Labs in Masdar City
Al Towayya in Al Ain
NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City
Bareen International Hospital
NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
NMC Royal Medical Centre - Abu Dhabi
NMC Royal Women’s Hospital.

Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

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Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses

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You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline

In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support

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