Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, the newest versions of Apple Watches that launched in September, are being pulled from the market due to a patent dispute with Masimo. Masimo is a medical technology company who invented the technology of blood oxygen sensors. The International Trade Commission ruled in October that Apple violates Masimo patents and would need to halt sales of infringing devices. A presidential review of that order is now underway. “While the review period will not end until Dec. 25, Apple is preemptively taking steps to comply should the ruling stand,” the company said.
Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 are no longer available on Apple’s website. You can still get them from the physical stores until they are sold out. It’s interesting that Apple couldn’t reach a settlement with Masimo though. According to Bloomberg, the White House is unlikely to get involved in the dispute as both Masimo and Apple are American companies. I wonder if this will trigger a bunch of patent lawsuits against Apple if the dispute doesn’t get resolved promptly. Anyway, if you want a new Apple Watch, now is the time to rush to the Apple store to get one before they are all gone.