Apple Updates Website to Highlight Removal of Apple Watch Blood Oxygen Feature

[Pezimak]

How did Apple let it get this bad? Wild

Well when you deliberately poach employees with a goal to steal someone else’s tech and idea, patented idea, that you know full well is patented, this is what tends to happen. Especially when it’s a well known a multi billion dollar corporation not prepared to roll over for Apple.
Their have been a fair few companies try it on with Apple, but from what I’ve read in this instance Apple appears to be guilty, hence why the ban is in force if it doesn’t block the sensors use as they are in breach.

Apple should pay for licenses to use the tech really, but then they’ll probably increase the RRP to pay for it to protect that profit margin.

 

[Pezimak]

It should also be noted this only affects the US market, but I wonder if this becomes an international ban too? Can that happen? Would be an embarrassment if it did.

 

[bviktor]

So I guess Americans will order their watches from Canada.

 

[Feek]

It should also be noted this only affects the US market, but I wonder if this becomes an international ban too? Can that happen? Would be an embarrassment if it did.

No, this is a US patent.

 

[swingerofbirch]

They should be so embarrassed.

They have more than enough money to have sorted this out.

They could have even partnered with Massimo and said their tech was being provided by the industry leader in pulse oximetry.

 

[dampfnudel]

Seems like the price should be less now. What am I missing here?

You’re missing Tim laughing at your comment.

 

[DMG35]

That prices are mostly based on supply and demand and not on features.

No its not. There are various versions of the Apple watch at different prices. Its based on a feature set of the watches not on how many someone is going to buy. By that logic the Hermes models would be the cheapest because they sell the least.

 

[bviktor]

It should also be noted this only affects the US market, but I wonder if this becomes an international ban too? Can that happen? Would be an embarrassment if it did.

That could only happen if AliveCor applied for the patent in other countries as well, beforehand. Obviously you can't make such demands retroactively. If AliveCor had those patents, I'm fairly certain they would've already brought Apple to court in those countries as well.

Usually it's not worth it to apply for a patent in several countries, because it's very expensive, so if no one infringes on your patents, it's just a big waste of money. US is one of the biggest markets, so it makes sense to only aim for that, and that's what most companies do.

In any case, AliveCor is definitely right in this case. They were the first, they patented it, then Apple simply ignored the fact. I remember buying their mini ECG too, way back in the 2010s, because there was no ECG-capable Watch back then, and my ex-gf suspected to be having arrhythmia.

The case will definitely be settled, but the only way to move forward is to give AliveCor the big sums of money they deserve. It will still be pennies for Apple anyway, and they can resume sales of their Watches, so win-win.

If I were Apple, I'd outright acquire AliveCor TBH.

 

[Rockondevil]

They should reduce the prices as well, considering how blood oxygen sensor was the main differentiation between S5 & S6. It’s an inferior product now when compared to what it was supposed to be.

I can completely understand why there should be one, but there won’t.

It was full price here in Aus for the Series 5(?) even though we didn’t get ECG for about a year or more.

 

[JPack]

Will Tim Cook update the watch he wears to this gimped edition?

 

[krspkbl]

Hopefully the rest of the world doesn’t miss out with future models just because of the USA.

I don’t care that Americans miss out but would suck if my next Watch was missing features because of them.

 

[michaelsviews]

Seems like the price should be less now. What am I missing here?

On Best Buys site they are cheaper

 

[spazzcat]

They should reduce the prices as well, considering how blood oxygen sensor was the main differentiation between S5 & S6. It’s an inferior product now when compared to what it was supposed to be.

The hardware is still there and most likely will be turned on in the future.

 

[skitidetdu]

Are watches sold outside the US still able to use the function?

 

[gluckett]

Hopefully the rest of the world doesn’t miss out with future models just because of the USA.

I don’t care that Americans miss out but would suck if my next Watch was missing features because of them.

If it weren't for the Americans, you wouldn't have Apple or your next watch.

 

[spazzcat]

What precedent would that be?

That Apple can’t rip off billion dollar companies with battle tested patents?

This whole mess is not doing Apple any favors in the public’s consciousness.

they should’ve settled yesterday; they need to settle today.

We are nowhere close to this being settled or Apple needing to settle. This could end just like the Epic case did where Masimo owes Apple millions.

 

[spazzcat]

Well when you deliberately poach employees with a goal to steal someone else’s tech and idea, patented idea, that you know full well is patented, this is what tends to happen. Especially when it’s a well known a multi billion dollar corporation not prepared to roll over for Apple.
Their have been a fair few companies try it on with Apple, but from what I’ve read in this instance Apple appears to be guilty, hence why the ban is in force if it doesn’t block the sensors use as they are in breach.

Apple should pay for licenses to use the tech really, but then they’ll probably increase the RRP to pay for it to protect that profit margin.

If I remember correctly, Masimo didn't file for patents until after the first watch S6, was sold, and it isn't illegal to hire people if they have a set of skills you are looking for...

 

[J___o___h___n]

Shame Apple isn't doing the right thing here. They should be paying the licence - this is not looking good from a consumers point of view.

Plus, paying the same price but getting less features - that's never good.

 

[DMG35]

Hopefully the rest of the world doesn’t miss out with future models just because of the USA.

I don’t care that Americans miss out but would suck if my next Watch was missing features because of them.

This has to be satire.

 

[O.N.Y.X]

Haha yeah, more likely to call it a special edition and up the price

Apple Watch (feature-)limited edition:
… comes highly limited without that useless blood oxygen sensor for only $99 extra!

Apple Watch (Ultra 2-)limited edition:
… ultra limited. Shows time only but looks exactly like our vanilla Ultra 2. No patent trolling possible, ever. Only $299 extra!

 

[ifxf]

This is what happens when you poach employees from other companies and they use their proprietary knowledge to improve your products.

Employees should be forced to stay with companies or not work at all in the field of their choice.

 

[ifxf]

It should also be noted this only affects the US market, but I wonder if this becomes an international ban too? Can that happen? Would be an embarrassment if it did.

It would only happen if the company filed patents in other countries. Many do not due to the costs involved.

 

[neuropsychguy]

Do they still ask for the same prices? I think with a $100 discount customers would be satisfied. For $100 you can buy a dedicated blood oxygen monitor.

The AW9 is regularly $70 off at various retailers. That’s almost the $100 you’re asking for.

 

[ryan102]

Just waiting for people to start attacking the Oxygen Sensor/Company who makes it.

Threads are always the same (look at the one about Netflix not making an app for the new VR headset). People have a habit of attacking another company or their product purely because they don't do something Apple wants.

Only a matter of time before the 'I don't even use that feature' comments start to try and justify what's going on.

 

[gmarm]

Oh my, they're really being dragged through the mud. This is ugly.