The Apple Watch, the trendy wearable device developed by Apple Inc. is undoubtedly one of the most highly sought-after gadgets globally. With its sleek design and extensive features that rival apps, the watch has gained a prominent place in the wearable technology market. Let’s be honest, who doesn’t love to own beauty right?
However, despite its success, this innovative smartwatch did face significant controversy and even encountered a ban in certain regions. So, this blog, Why did the Apple Watch get banned?’ Fix N’ Talk experts, the top Apple watch repairs Adelaide discuss the reasons and implications behind the Apple Watch's ban, explore security concerns and Apple’s response, etc.
Smartwatches changed the way interact with technology. The Apple Watch, first introduced in 2015, quickly gained popularity due to its stunning design and advanced features. It serves as an extension of an iPhone, helping users to receive notifications, and with many impressive features including tracking fitness, monitoring health, etc. However, despite the loyal consumer base and positive reception, the Apple Watch found itself embroiled in controversy resulting in banishment in certain regions.
Over the years, the tech giant faced several bans resulting from the concerns of regulators, competitors, and users raised regarding privacy, security, health, safety, and regulatory compliance.
The Apple Watch faced a ban in the United States due to a patent dispute. The ban did have a huge impact on various areas like sales, repairs, and users' experience. The specific reasons behind the ban were mainly due to a legal battle over patented technology related to health monitoring features in the Apple Watch, particularly the ‘pulse oximetry’.
The ITC, a federal community ordered the ban in October to keep Apple away from utilizing particular advances in blood oxygen measurement systems in its Series 9 and ultra-2 watches. The tech giant was dragged into an intellectual property case against the medical technology company named Masimo. It is important to note that the banned features, mainly centered around pulse oximetry, played an important role in health tracking.
The conflict led to a ban on the import and sales of series 9 and ultra 2 Apple Watch models in the U.S, affecting not only Apple but also its users and buyers with their restricting repair services for out-of-warranty watches.
As a consequence of the ban, Apple faced challenges in repairing out-of-warranty watches in the U.S., impacting user support and service options.
The ban also took a toll on the consumers and as a result, thwarted the sale of a few Apple Watch models in the market. Thus the discovery of why Apple Watch is banned delves so deeply into the nuances of technology patents, particularly in the global tech sector.
The legal battle surrounding the watch ban also highlights the importance of intellectual property protection etc.
To address this challenge, Apple has opted to roll out new versions of the Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches that do not come along with the controversial feature. It was rolled out on 18th January.
Masimo, which manufactures medical devices referred to pulse oximetry technology and in October the US International Trade Commission said that Apple violated their patents.
This technology tests the oxygen level through blood. According to this verdict, Apple is now unable to import or sell the latest versions of its Apple Watch models in the US. Apple is making an effort to find a way out of this problem, but it might take some time for them to sort out the dispute finally.