Saturday, January 20, 2024

Apple to Remove Pulse Oximeter from Watches to Avoid Sales Ban

Apple to Remove Pulse Oximeter from Watches to Avoid Sales Ban

Now, the big tech giant Apple has agreed to remove the pulse oximeter from two Apple Watches— the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2- to avoid a sales ban on the devices in the United States. Apple took this decision after they stopped the sale of these two different models over a dispute over a patent with Masimo, a company that makes pulse oximeters.

ITC, or the International Trade Commission, ruled that the blood oxygen sensors of the Watches violated Masimo's patents. After that, these Watches were ordered to be taken out of stores. Later,  the devices were banned the day after the 25th.

Apple to Remove Pulse Oximeter from Watches to Avoid Sales Ban

With the help of the feature, you can measure the oxygen level in your blood. Thus, you can ensure that the level is not low. Otherwise, it may result in serious health problems. However, according to the ITC, Apple illegally incorporated blood oxygen technology from Masimo, a medical tech company. So, the devices were banned on 26th December. But then the tech giant Apple made an appeal, resulting in a pause on the ban. However, changes were made to allow them to keep on selling these Watches in the United States.

What Did A Masimo Spokesperson Say?

Bloomberg reported that a statement from Masimo called Apple's decision a "positive step toward accountability."

A Masimo spokesperson said that Apple, which is one of the most powerful companies in the world, respects smaller companies’ intellectual property rights & complies with ITC orders, when it is caught infringing. Apple was sued by Masimo in 2021 because of the patent infringement over the Apple Watch Series 6.

As per the suit, Masimo claimed that employees were poached by Apple with the aim of stealing trade secrets that are light-based technology related to measure blood-oxygen levels.

The U.S. Customs & Border Protection agency is the ones who are in charge of imposing the import bans. As per a Masimo filing on Monday, the U.S. Customs & Border Protection agency approved the necessary technical changes to the Watches on Friday, that includes removing of the pulse oximeter feature. It is expected that people can see a decision in the next few days on the request from Apple for a permanent stay on the US ban.

Removing the technology from Apple was a very big change. Apple engineers have been working on a software update. They want to change the blood-oxygen app & the algorithms to circumvent the problem without losing the feature. But avoiding the ban in the US is the main target. So, eliminating the capability is the fastest way that should be taken to avoid seeing the ban reimposed, that might have occurred this month.

What Did An Apple Spokeswoman Say?

According to an Apple spokeswoman, people can enjoy the pulse oximeter function on its watches for the time being.

The removal of the pulse oximeter might be actioned, in case the U.S. Court of Appeals does not grant a permanent stay. However, Apple wants to stop the U.S. trade ban. In case, the stay is given, removal of the function will not be needed, as the process of appeals takes place.

According to an Apple spokeswoman, this process may take around twelve months or more than that. It is the first time that any health-related feature has been eliminated from Apple Watches due to patent problems. But the filing doesn't let us know how Apple is eliminating the function from the devices, but according to the analysts it could be done by software changes.

The legal disputes between Masimo and Apple have shed light on the risk of Apple entering the health space with several players having the capability to fight patent issues with Apple. The first smartwatch with this blood-oxygen pulse oximeter feature was the Apple Watch Series 6.

As per The Hill, there were only sixty days for the Biden administration from October. They need to decide whether to veto the ban or they will let it go into effect. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representatives stated on Dec. 26 that it would not intervene.

These Watch models will go on sale in December 2023 after a federal court lifted a sales halt temporarily. The International Trade Commission ordered the halt over the patent dispute in question.

What Did Bason Say?

Tamlin Bason, a Bloomberg Intelligence analyst, said in a note that Apple might have given a steep amount of money with the aim of getting around a US import ban.

Apple's operation team has already started to ship the modified Ultra 2 and Series 9 watches to retail locations in the US. However, still, the stores were told not to open. Also, these stores were told not to sell the tweaked devices and to wait till they got approval from Apple's corporate offices. So, it could be possible that these models are the new versions that will not be available with the blood-oxygen feature.

The Bottom Line:

Pulse oximetry is a test to measure the level of oxygen or oxygen saturation in the blood. In this case, a probe, a clip-like device, is placed on an earlobe or a finger. Then, in order to measure the amount of oxygen in the blood, the device uses light subsequently. In this way, the device can decide if someone needs additional oxygen.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Can the Apple Watch work as an oximeter?

Except for Apple Watch SE1, Apple Watches ( Series 6 or later) can measure oxygen saturation of arterial hemoglobin (SpO2) for fitness applications.

  1. What do you do if blood oxygen is not available on your Apple Watch?

Ensure that the Blood Oxygen app is available in your region or nation. You have to update your iPhone Xs or later to the most recent iOS version. Besides, if you use Apple Watch Series 6, Series 7, Series 8, or Apple Watch Series 9, you need to update it to the most recent version of watchOS.

  1. What is the benefit of blood oxygen on the Apple Watch?

Your Apple Watch can monitor your SpO2. Thus, it can give you alerts of potential health problems before you realize that you have them. The Blood Oxygen feature can be enjoyed only on the Apple Watch Series 6 at present.

Monday, January 1, 2024

iOS 17.2 Update

iOS 17.2 Update

Apple has started rolling out the iOS 17.2 update to those iPhones that are eligible for this. Along with fixing glitches & bugs, this software update includes several new features, such as the new Journal app, spatial video capture on the iPhone 15 Pro series, and updated weather and messages apps. If you are using the old version, iOS 17.1.2, the update will be around 1.5 GB. This latest iPhone update, iOS 17.1. 2, appeared on Thursday, November 30, 2023.

The company has released the Journal app with the iOS 17.2 upgrade after it announced the app at its WWDC event in June 2023. This new app includes several new features like 'personalized suggestions' and 'journaling schedules.'

What Is The Journal app?

It is an app designed in a way that users can easily reflect & practice gratitude by looking back at everyday moments or special events in their lives. Hence, as a user, you are able to begin with a text entry. Then, you can add music, images, audio recordings, videos, locations, etc in the Journal app.

The new app uses on-device machine learning in order to send personalized suggestions for journal entries. It indicates that the suggestions are private & also specific to the user. This app is also able to send you a reminder at the start or end of the day so that the users can make journaling an ongoing practice in their lives.

Privacy Focused:

The company says that the app is made up of 'privacy at its core.' After your iPhone is locked, the app entries will be encrypted. You are even able to add protection using a password, Face ID, or Touch ID in the Journal app. You should know that these Journal entries that are saved on iCloud are end-to-end encrypted. It means that you, as a user, can only access data.

Most features are gained by the iPhone 15 Pro series from the iOS 17.2 drop, such as spatial video recording, along with the capability of shooting 3D videos on the iPhone 15 Pro & the iPhone 15 Pro Max. These models will be compatible with the future Vision Pro VR headset.

iOS 17.2 Compatible Devices:

iOS 17.2 supports these iPhone & iPad models:

  • 14 Pro, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, and 14 Pro Max iPhones
  • 13 Pro, 13 Mini, 13 Pro, and 13 Pro Max iPhones
  • Apple iPhone 12, Pro, Mini, Pro, and Pro Max
  • The 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, and iPhone 11
  • Second-generation iPhone SE
  • iPhone XS, XS Max, & XR

iPad Compatibility:

When it comes to the iPad front, this recent update supports the following models:

  • iPad Pro (all versions)
  • iPad Air (3rd generation & later)
  • iPad (5th generation & later)
  • iPad mini (5th generation & later)

Older Devices:

You should not purchase any iPhone or iPad model older than these, which are mentioned here. Because, if you own an iPhone model that is older than the models mentioned above, you will not be able to update to iOS 17.2. Due to the hardware limitations of older devices, these can't handle the demands of new software.

How To Install iOS 17.2 Update:

It is simple to install iOS 17.2:

Before you do anything, you need to back up your device to iCloud or iTunes in order to make sure that your data is safe. Ensure that you have connected your device to a stable Wi-Fi network to download smoothly and make the installation process simpler.

  • Your first job is to head toward the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
  • Then, you have to move to General and later go to Software Update.
  • If you see the update available, remember that there will be an option to download and install it.
  • As soon as you download the update, you need to follow the given on-screen instructions in order to complete the installation procedure.
  • After completion of your installation, you will be prompted to restart the device.

Based on your model and internet speed, the download and installation time can vary.

Features:

Contact Key Verification In Messages:

Although the company announced this feature in December 2022, it is available now in iOS 17.2. If you are willing to enable Contact Key Verification, you have to head toward Settings. Then, you should move to Apple ID and Contact Key Verification. Now, you have to click on the slider adjacent to Verification in iMessage. Then, you have to follow the on-screen prompts.

React With Live Stickers:

The company introduced the Live Stickers feature in the iOS 17 update at launch. With the help of the feature, you are able to produce your stickers from pictures you've taken. This feature enables you to react to texts in Messages. If you are willing to react with a Live Sticker, you have to long-press on a text in order to add a reaction. Then, your job is to click on Add Sticker in the dropdown menu for pulling up your stickers.

New Apple Music Settings:

Once you subscribe to Apple Music by paying $11 a month, the update allows you to add your favorite songs automatically to your library. However, you may not like this. In that case, you have to go to Settings to turn off the setting. Then, you should go to Music. After that, you have to tap the toggle next to Add Favorite Songs.

More Memoji Customization:

The Body is a new menu available in the Memoji editor. It allows you to edit the appearance of your Memoji's body. Besides, adjusting Memoji's waist, bust, shoulders & arms is possible in this menu. However, as of the time of the writing, only three options will be available in each section. Therefore, Memoji is not a full-on character creator menu.

Change Your Default Notification Sounds And Haptics:

In this update, the company lets you change the default notification sound. It is going to be the first time the company has enabled iPhone users to change the default notification sound. If you are willing to change the sound, you need to head toward Settings. Then, you have to go to Sounds & Haptics. After that, you have to move to Default Alerts. Now, you can choose new and classic tones.

You have to click on Haptics near the page's top to change the haptics in the Default Alerts menu. While you are able to select between a handful of haptic patterns, you can also generate a custom haptic by clicking on Create New Vibration.

Photos & Apple Music Working Together:

After you update to iOS 17.2, if you want to go into the Photos app, Photos is going to ask permission to access your Apple Music library. The screen says that in order to curate songs for your memories, it is going to use songs from your library. 

AppleCare & Warranty Menu:

When you head toward Settings and then General, you get to see a new option called AppleCare & Warranty. Once you tap into this option, you get to see all available devices that are covered or not covered under AppleCare or a warranty. This option in previous betas was called Coverage.

Catch-up Arrow In Messages:

A new feature in this update lets you analyze what is happening in a texting group or if someone sends you many messages. The catch-up arrow is brought back to Messages by the beta. Therefore, if you see many messages after waking from a nap, it is possible to jump to the start of new messages. Then, you can follow the drama for context.

New Options For Sharing Contact Posters:

Sharing a Contact Poster is possible via Phone & FaceTime. When you navigate to Settings, either Phone or FaceTime, an option called Share Name and Photo will appear. You have to click on this. Next, you need to choose whether you want to share your Contact Poster automatically with your contacts or whether you want your mobile to always ask before sharing. However, the feature was previously available only in Message.

Sharing Content Between Your iPhone & Apple Vision Pro:

At WWDC in June, the company announced its Vision Pro headset. As users are unable to purchase the Vision Pro yet, the company plans to make the headset available in the early phase of 2024 in the United States. This latest software update introduces a setting that lets your iPhone work as an extra screen for this.

We know the setting as AirPlay Receiver, which you can find under AirPlay & Handoff in Settings. According to the company, the setting lets you stream content or share it from your Vision Pro headset to your iPhone.

Spatial Video Recording for the iPhone 15 Pro & Pro Max:

This new feature lets iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max users record Spatial Video. As a user, you can see the video in 3D on the Vision Pro headset. It is possible to view Spatial Videos in the Photos app as normal videos.

Disable Inline Predictions On Your Keyboard:

Have you ever seen a grey word appearing in front of your cursor while typing a text in Messages? People call it inline text predictions. You may have been annoyed by the feature. Fortunately, with the iOS 17.2 update, it is possible to turn it off. 

More Sensitive Content Warnings:

This feature was introduced in iOS 17. It is able to blur out pictures & videos that may contain nudity and show up in a few Apple services. In this latest update, the warnings have been expanded in order to add contact posters that can include nudity.

More Siri Requests:

You are able to ask Siri some new questions because of this new update. For example, you can ask about your altitude and your estimated arrival time while using the voice assistant for directions.

Updated Weather Widget And App:

In the earlier iOS version, you had three options, which are the small tile, medium tile bar & large tiles that used to take up half of the screen. Whereas in this iOS 17.2 update, you get six weather widgets to select from. The first three will be the small, medium, and large tiles. Although the three new widgets are the same size as the small tile, these are capable of displaying more details about the day. One tile is able to show the UV index, the current condition, precipitation, wind levels & air quality index. Whereas in another tile, you can see the current conditions and the expected conditions for the upcoming four days. The last new tile shows when you are able to expect the sunrise & sunset.

The Bottom Line:

In this article, we have discussed everything about the iOS 17.2 update. If you are an iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max user, then this update enables you to record Spatial Video. This update also adds Qi2 support to the iPhone 13 series & iPhone 14 models.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does The iOS 17.2 update do?

Apple has started to roll out its iOS 17.2 update to eligible iPhones. This latest software update for the iPhone helps to fix bugs & glitches. Besides, this update introduces a few new features like the new Journal app, spatial video capture on your iPhone 15 Pro series, and updated Weather & Messages apps.

Is iOS 17.2 good?

The latest update includes important security updates & bug fixes, along with some excellent new features, which will take your iPhone to another level. The available upgrade includes a long-anticipated Journal app, which is possible to be locked with Face ID or Touch ID in order to ensure that it is secure and private.

What is new in iOS 17.0 2?

iOS 17.0.2 offers important bug fixes as well as security updates.  Besides, it is able to fix the problems that can prevent transferring data directly from another iPhone during setup.