Yazılar

Apple Restores Blood Oxygen Feature on Some U.S. Watches After Regulatory Approval

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Apple (AAPL.O) announced on Thursday that it will reintroduce a blood oxygen measurement feature to certain Apple Watch models in the United States via a software update. The update applies to Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 after approval from U.S. authorities. Users will be able to monitor blood oxygen levels on a paired iPhone.

The move resolves a long-running legal dispute with Masimo (MASI.O), which accused Apple of misappropriating its pulse oximetry technology and hiring its employees. In 2023, Masimo won a U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) ruling blocking imports of Apple Watches with the feature, prompting Apple to temporarily remove it and triggering a prolonged appeals process.

Apple said the update allows users to start a session in the Blood Oxygen app on the watch, which collects sensor data for calculation and display on the iPhone. The Series 6 Apple Watch first introduced pulse oximetry in 2020, while Masimo launched its blood oxygen-tracking W1 watch in 2022.

Apple had briefly resumed sales after persuading the Federal Circuit to pause the import ban, but the ban was later reinstated, necessitating the temporary removal of the feature in the U.S. Masimo shares fell 4.5% on Thursday.

Samsung’s Harman Acquires Masimo’s Audio Unit for $350 Million to Bolster Global Audio Market Position

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Samsung Electronics announced on Wednesday that its subsidiary Harman International has signed a $350 million deal to acquire the audio business of U.S.-based medical and consumer technology company Masimo. The move is aimed at strengthening Harman’s leadership in the global consumer audio market, which is projected to grow from $60.8 billion in 2025 to $70 billion by 2029.

Samsung said the acquisition will create synergies with its existing businesses, particularly mobile devices, TVs, and home appliances, enhancing its competitive edge in high-end sound and audio technologies.

This acquisition is part of a broader strategy Samsung outlined in March during its annual shareholder meeting, where executives emphasized the importance of pursuing “meaningful” mergers and acquisitions to drive growth and respond to investor concerns. The company signaled its determination to deliver tangible results in 2025, and this deal marks a key step toward that goal.

Harman, known for brands such as JBL, Harman Kardon, and AKG, will now be further empowered to expand its reach in the premium and professional audio segments by integrating Masimo’s audio assets.

Apple Wins $250 Million Jury Verdict in Patent Dispute Over Masimo Smartwatch Technology

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Apple has secured a significant legal victory in a patent infringement case against health monitoring company Masimo. A federal jury in Delaware ruled that Masimo’s earlier smartwatch models, including the W1 and Freedom, violated two of Apple’s design patents related to smartwatch technology. The case, which is part of a larger intellectual property dispute between the two companies, has drawn considerable attention due to its implications for the smartwatch market.

The jury’s decision marks a win for Apple, affirming its claims that Masimo’s smartwatches and chargers infringed upon its patented designs. Apple had argued that Masimo had used its intellectual property without authorization, particularly the aesthetic and functional aspects of its smartwatch technology that are integral to its product lineup. Apple’s patents cover key elements of the smartwatch design, which the company claims were copied by Masimo in its products.

Despite the jury siding with Apple, the damages awarded were relatively modest. The jury imposed a statutory minimum fine of just $250, a sum that is the lowest possible penalty for patent infringement under U.S. law. This minimal financial penalty comes as a surprise, given the size and prominence of the companies involved. Apple, with its market value hovering around $3.5 trillion, could have potentially sought a much larger financial settlement.

While the small damages may seem anticlimactic, the case highlights broader concerns in the tech industry regarding intellectual property rights. For Apple, this victory sends a message about the protection of its design patents and its willingness to pursue legal action against competitors over intellectual property violations. For Masimo, the verdict is a setback in an ongoing legal battle, as it faces further scrutiny over its products in the smartwatch space. The outcome of this case may have broader implications for how tech companies navigate patent disputes in the future.