Apple Says iOS 18.6.1 is Coming Today

[Böhme417]

I expect Apple to prepare and release iOS 18.7 for mid-September release for those who need the latest security patches but don't want to go to the huge changes in iOS 26. If such a version does exist I will temporarily update to that until iOS 26.0.1 gets released probably in early October.

I hope so. While I do like several of the features being introduced, I really hate that liquid glass crap so far.

I have a series 9 that came with blood oxygen app, does this affect or not affect the currently installed app.

According to the article, no.

 

[Yvan256]

The spacing between the digits is terrible, at first I read "18.61".

If that graphic is directly from Apple, they need to hire someone who actually knows how typography works.

 

[goonie4life9]

No, they are not.

Patent troll (n) - Disparaging term for a person or company that hoards patents for the purpose of threatening alleged infringers with legal action.

They absolutely build and sell products using the patents they own. You and others may not like what they are doing, and I have issues with how steadfastly disagreeable they are with licensing, but they do not fit the definition in the slightest. This nonsense is completely Apple's fault.

You're on the money, with one exception. Masimo reached-out to Apple in good faith, well before Apple started selling Apple Watches with SpO2 monitoring. Apple, in their arrogance, refused to work with Masimo, assuming they would never go this far or if they did, Apple would be able to overwhelm them. Apple is now paying the just price for their refusal to collaborate.

 

[jz0309]

They have several new patents

No kidding... so does Apple and Google and and and...
New patents related to the old tech? Or what?

 

[jz0309]

Good to see the return of SpO2, while my S7 and U2 both have it, it was one of my criteria for a possible upgrade this year.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

I know it says it doesn't change anything on watches that have functional SPo2 but I'm going to hold off on the update until that statement is confirmed.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

I know it says it doesn't change anything on watches that have functional SPo2 but I'm going to hold off on the update until that statement is confirmed.

An update on Blood Oxygen for Apple Watch in the U.S.

Apple will introduce a redesigned Blood Oxygen feature for some Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 users.

www.apple.com

 

[bassanoclapper]

Hopefully we'll see blood glucose readings on the 2026 watches!

Not sure about that. Blood glucose is supposed to be a lot harder to detect and measure non-invasively

 

[Stromos]

Yet somehow still no PB3 for 26. This sounds like some intern going why not just process it on the phone and everyone just shrugging and saying run with it.

 

[frenchcamp49er]

They have several new patents

Doesn’t matter not applicable

 

[frenchcamp49er]

Wow, did the patent troll finally give up? Thank god lol

O, Apple out trolled the troll 🤣

 

[frenchcamp49er]

It’s a work around. They are taking readings and completing the analysis on the phone. The Masimo patents pressumably were regarding doing the analysis on the watch directly.

Apple said hold my beer …..

 

[Charka123]

Today may just be iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1, no macOS or iPadOS unless this update contain additional fixes and security updates, but we'll see.

 

[Artemiz]

In this specific scenario, theyre def a patent troll. Sueing and getting functionality that millions of users paid for, removed, and holding us all
hostage to their whims.

Surprised there isnt a class action against them

Buying a fake Rolex from a guy in a dark corner doesn’t make him a legit business either.

Patent troll is one that buys broad patents in bulk from an auction and goes after legit companies putting those patents to actual use. Masimo is the gold standard in SpO2 sensors and are widely used by millions including your EMTs. Now, I don’t agree with how they’re dealing with the conflict and would much rather see a licensing agreement that would’ve benefited the AW owners over the years. But calling a legit company saving lives a troll is akin to ppl labeling things they don’t agree with as woke or MSM. It’s just ill informed.

 

[Populus]

I really hope they don’t ruin battery life with this .1 update. I think I’m going to download 18.6 just in case.

EDIT: done.

 

[archvile]

Apple is taking the readings on the watch and displaying on the iPhone only. You won't be able to view it on the watch before or after processing.

Well that's dumb, does that mean the blood oxygen reading won't show in the vitals app on the watch, but will show on the phone? Do you know any specifics on how that will work?

 

[frenchcamp49er]

Buying a fake Rolex from a guy in a dark corner doesn’t make him a legit business either.

Patent troll is one that buys broad patents in bulk from an auction and goes after legit companies putting those patents to actual use. Masimo is the gold standard in SpO2 sensors and are widely used by millions including your EMTs. Now, I don’t agree with how they’re dealing with the conflict and would much rather see a licensing agreement that would’ve benefited the AW owners over the years. But calling a legit company saving lives a troll is akin to ppl labeling things they don’t agree with as woke or MSM. It’s just ill informed.

I guess they still won’t be getting any money from Apple

 

[repoman016]

18.6 has been my worst apple experience so far. Hoping this does more than just fix the o2

 

[ScooterComputer]

You're on the money, with one exception. Masimo reached-out to Apple in good faith, well before Apple started selling Apple Watches with SpO2 monitoring. Apple, in their arrogance, refused to work with Masimo, assuming they would never go this far or if they did, Apple would be able to overwhelm them. Apple is now paying the just price for their refusal to collaborate.

It even gets worse for Apple in this… Masimo not only reached out, Apple worked with them for a while, had gotten some insight on how their system worked, then—ALLEGEDLY—'stole' the info and hired away a few engineers… that's Patent Infringement 101 stuff. Dumb Criminal tv show stuff.

Having watched how the current Apple Exec team has conducted itself though the last decade of lawsuits, they have most definitely shifted from "We're the good guys" to "F you, we'll use our trillion+ dollar pile of gold and extensive lawyer cadre to bleed you dry… haha, moron." Not a great look, IMHO.

 

[cableguy84]

WHERE IS THE UPDATE PLEASE

 

[jz0309]

I know it says it doesn't change anything on watches that have functional SPo2 but I'm going to hold off on the update until that statement is confirmed.

Yea, I was thinking the same thing

 

[Apple_Robert]

Downloading now.

 

[russell_314]

Apple has announced that it will be releasing iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1 later today.

They absolutely have

 

[BigBlur]

Hm no mention of Series 7 and 8 that have had blood ox disabled due to service swap.

I'd expect those to be reenabled too (LW/A model numbers) but Apple didn't address those.

My guess is it's only the 9, 10, & Ultra 2 because they were the ones impacted by the ban on new sales. They also happen to require an iPhone XS or newer, which supports iOS 18...meaning every single person who has one of these watches is capable of getting this feature.

I guess they could have said it's coming to the 6, 7, 8, & Ultra for those that have had their watch replaced, BUT only if you have a compatible iPhone that can run iOS 18. The Apple Watch/iPhone/watchOS/iOS compatibility chart is already confusing enough as it is. The number of affected users is probably small as well, but still sucks for them.

 

[poematik13]

No, they are not.

Patent troll (n) - Disparaging term for a person or company that hoards patents for the purpose of threatening alleged infringers with legal action.

They absolutely build and sell products using the patents they own. You and others may not like what they are doing, and I have issues with how steadfastly disagreeable they are with licensing, but they do not fit the definition in the slightest. This nonsense is completely Apple's fault.

Don't be a pedant lol. It's clear as day what is going on- millions of users have been damaged (paid features removed by force) because a much much smaller and obscure company decides to sue the biggest company on earth off a legal technicality for a quick buck.

I'd love to class action masimo for the ~12 months where the blood ox function of my $500 watch was removed because of their patent trolling.