this post was submitted on 16 Jan 2024
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Apple to Remove Blood-Oxygen Sensor From Watch to Avoid U.S. Ban::Tech giant’s withdrawal of technology may end cloud hanging over $18 billion smartwatch business

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[–] Uglyhead 39 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (1 children)

A decision on Apple’s request for a permanent stay on the U.S. ban during its appeal is expected in the coming days.

An Apple spokeswoman said that the blood-oxygen feature would continue to be available on the watches for now.

Still at the maybe maybe maybe stage.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 10 months ago (2 children)

Based on the article and other comments about the dispute, it seems like a justified legal move, but I hope they come around to an agreement regarding existing devices, rather than something insane, such as disabling the functionality on existing consumer devices.

I was given an Apple Watch in 2017. I replaced that (functioning just fine) watch about a year ago with a model with a pulse oximeter, specifically because I wanted the feature.

[–] BaronVonBort 21 points 10 months ago

“What should we do? Just PAY the developer for the feature? Nah, we’ll just continue to file lawsuits and eventually settle in the inevitable class action from buyers which will certainly not be more than what we would have spent just licensing it in the first place”

Look, I’m not one for patent trolling, but this is pretty blatant on Apple’s end and as a Series 9 owner it’s annoying because it’s a feature I upgraded for that I’ll lose access to just because they don’t want to be told they’re wrong. Such corporate bullshit.

[–] RunningInRVA 4 points 10 months ago (2 children)

They couldn’t do that without somehow compensating you. Not saying that is better but they can’t cripple a product that you have paid for.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)
[–] dynamojoe 5 points 10 months ago (1 children)

That will end up as a class action lawsuit with some merit. There will be a race to file this one.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 10 months ago

Won’t get much back though. It’ll be a small refund based on the cost of the feature relative to the overall purchase price.

[–] saywhatisabigw 18 points 10 months ago

What about all the customers who bought it for that feature?

[–] 9tr6gyp3 6 points 10 months ago (2 children)
[–] takeda 14 points 10 months ago
[–] [email protected] 4 points 10 months ago (2 children)

I can't say I like Apple, but damn the whole patent thing sucks!

[–] [email protected] 91 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (3 children)

Well, Apple stole a patent after they were presented with it when they lied about wanting to do a "collaboration ". Then literally GUTTED their engineering team with crazy sign on bonuses while using what they saw from that meeting and bypass their "collaboration".

I agree that patents suck IF there was no end date. But I'm totally ok with Apple getting in trouble for blatantly doing something like this.

Fuck Apple. They deserve this and more for being fucking too big to get in trouble.

[–] MeanEYE 52 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Also let us not forget that Apple sued other phone manufacturers for having rectangular phones. You reap what you sow.

[–] [email protected] 40 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Also they tried to trademark the word "App" Store saying that "App Store" meant "Apple" Store.

Fuck Apple.

[–] MeanEYE 13 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Yup. They care about money and monopoly as it also means more money.

[–] Plopp 5 points 10 months ago (1 children)

All companies do. Any company that says they want a free market is lying or speaking from a place of disadvantage - they all would want a monopoly even more, preferably one where people are mandated by the government to buy their product. Or even better, if the government is the customer. $$$$$

[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Most tech companies on the stock market.

Plenty of mom and pop shops and 1 man websites that everyone should support.

[–] Plopp 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Yes, of course, good distinction. I had stock market companies in mind.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

I go out of my way to support the small websites. If there is an app I want to download, I check out their site first to see if I can buy from there so they can save on the crazy fees google charges

[–] TORFdot0 15 points 10 months ago

Seriously, just pay the licensing fee to the patent holder. For as much as their customers have paid them over the years, they can afford it.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 10 months ago

Apple's MO is, and has been for a while, seeing something a startup is doing, saying "That's a stupid idea", then two years later unveiling an identical product and calling it innovation.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 10 months ago

You’re getting downvoted a lot, but honestly you’re right. The fact that corporations are arguing over who gets to use technology that could help people with, or could have, medical conditions is really depressing. I get that an Apple Match isn’t going to be that accurate, but it could still be a sign that something is off.

Technology could help people, but I guess this is why we can’t have nice things.