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FDA clears Apple Watch hypertension detection feature

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given Apple the green light to introduce a hypertension detection feature on its latest smartwatch models. The approval marks another step in Apple’s push to expand its footprint in digital health technology.

Apple showcased the feature during its September 9 launch event, alongside a new iPhone lineup. The feature will be available later this month on the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, Series 11, and the Ultra 2 and Ultra 3 models, with plans to roll out in 150 countries and regions, including the U.S. and EU.

Using the watch’s optical heart sensor, the system analyzes how blood vessels respond to heartbeats. Instead of taking single-time readings like a traditional cuff monitor, the algorithm works passively, reviewing data across 30-day periods. If it finds consistent signs of hypertension, the watch sends the user an alert.

Apple emphasized the tool is not meant to diagnose or capture every case of high blood pressure, but could warn an estimated one million users worldwide.

Bloomberg had earlier reported the feature would begin rolling out as soon as next week. Apple has not commented further on the timeline.

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 to Acquire U.S. Healthcare Platform Xealth to Boost Mobile Health Business

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Samsung Electronics announced on Tuesday it has signed an agreement to acquire Xealth, a U.S.-based digital healthcare platform, aiming to expand its mobile healthcare services. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Samsung said the acquisition is intended to create synergy by combining its advanced wearable technology with Xealth’s platform, which manages digital health programs and connects care providers—including over 500 U.S. hospitals—with patients through data integration.

This move aligns with Samsung’s broader strategy to diversify beyond its traditional semiconductor and smartphone operations. The company is increasingly investing in growth areas such as medical technology, consumer audio, climate control systems, and robotics.

Earlier this year, Samsung agreed to acquire Germany’s FlaktGroup for €1.5 billion ($1.68 billion), targeting the booming demand for data center cooling, driven by AI projects. At a March shareholder meeting, Chairman Jay Y. Lee emphasized Samsung’s focus on “meaningful” acquisitions to drive growth, especially after falling behind rivals in the AI chip market led by Nvidia.

Notably, on the same day as the Xealth announcement, Samsung forecasted a sharp 56% decline in its second-quarter operating profit, mainly due to weak AI chip sales—raising investor concerns about the company’s semiconductor business recovery.