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Apple Watch

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Apple Watch is Apple's wearable is designed to help you stay active, motivated, and connected. It runs watchOS, and it comes in 40mm and 44mm size options.

How to see all Apple Watch apps

History

The original Apple Watch (later called Series 0) was released on April 24, 2015, after years of rumors. While there was a lot of initial hype around it, the third-party watchOS apps were slow to launch due to API limitations. Native apps were available in watchOS 2. The original watch came in 38mm and 42mm sizes.

The Series 2 Watch was released on September 16th, 2016 along with a Series 1 Watch. The Series 2 included the S2 chip, built-in GPS, and water-proof construction. The Series 1 included the S2, but lacked GPS and waterproofing.

The Series 3 Watch was released on September 22, 2017, and it included an LTE option and the S3 chip. The Series 4 Watch was released on September 21, 2018. New hardware included the S4 Chip, Electrical heart sensor w/ ECG app, and larger display (40mm and 44mm sizes).

Apple Watch Series 5 was announced during Apple’s fall event on September 10, 2019. Customers were able to purchase the device later that day, and it was released on September 20. The headline feature for this model was the wearable’s always-on display. The new display always shows the time and complications and is also the first from the company to include a built-in compass.

Apple launched international emergency services to every cellular model. Series 5 also brought back ceramic white, and new natural brush and space black titanium models.

Apple Watch Series 6 was unveiled on September 15, 2020 at the “Time Flies” event alongside the more affordable SE and new iPad Air. New features of the Series 6 include blood oxygen monitoring, new watch colors, faster S6 chip, new watch faces, and more.

Apple Watch features

Apple Watch is designed to help you stay active, motivated, and connected. The newest versions are Series 6 and SE while Apple still sells Series 3 as the most affordable option.

Features include:

  • Heart rate monitoring (all models)
    • Including high, low, and irregular heart rate notifications
  • ECG readings (Series 4 and later)
  • Blood oxygen monitoring (Series 6)
  • Workout tracking, Activity Rings, competitions, and awards
  • Works with Apple Fitness+
  • Sleep tracking (with watchOS 7)
  • GPS and GPS + Cellular models
  • Always-on display (Series 5 & 6)
  • Water-resistant to 50 meters
  • Emergency SOS and fall detection
  • Phone calls and Messages
  • Music, Podcasts, and more
  • Third-party apps available through App Store built into watchOS

watchOS

watchOS is the dedicated software that runs on Apple Watch. The current version is watchOS 7 that was released in fall 2020 and is compatible with Series 3 and later.

watchOS 7 brought new features like native sleep tracking, Family Setup, watch face sharing, new workout tracking types, cycling directions in maps, and automatic handwashing reminders.

Apple Fitness+ support and new cardio fitness notifications came with watchOS 7.2 And watchOS 7.4 is coming with the exciting new Apple Watch unlock for iPhone feature.

Current Apple Watch lineup

For all the latest deals on Apple Watch, bands, and accessories, check out 9to5Toys.com.

Subscribe to 9to5Mac Watch Time to get a bi-weekly discussion around Apple Watch and the future of the product.

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Apple handed a victory in Apple Watch antitrust lawsuit with AliveCor

Apple Watch Heart Rate app watchOS 10

Apple has been handed a victory in its ongoing legal battle with AliveCor over the Apple Watch’s heart monitoring technology.

AliveCor had alleged that Apple restricted third-party access to certain Apple Watch heart rate data, a move that it deemed was anticompetitive. A US District Court judge, however, has ruled entirely in Apple’s favor and said the company will not have to face the lawsuit in a trial.

Update 3:54 p.m. PT: Added AliveCor’s statement below. AliveCor says it will appeal.

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Nomad delivers a rad red with limited edition Apple Watch Sport Band and iPhone Sport Case [Hands-on]

Nomad limited edition Night Watch Red hands-on

Nomad recently launched its latest limited edition Apple Watch band and iPhone case. The company says “Night Watch Red” was the top-requested hue from customers and I think Nomad nailed it. Join along for all the details on the rich red finish for Nomad’s popular Apple Watch Sport Band and iPhone Sport Case.

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Tim Cook says Apple is focused on appealing the Apple Watch ban, not settling with Masimo

check blood oxygen with Apple Watch

Apple’s patent battle with Masimo is far from over. As it stands right now, Apple is still selling the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 in the United States, but with the contested blood oxygen feature disabled.

In a new interview today, Apple CEO Tim Cook indicated that Apple has no interest in licensing Masimo’s technology and putting the battle to rest. Instead, he said that Apple is focused on its appeal of the ITC’s ruling.

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See steps with Apple Watch

How to see steps with Apple Watch including distance and custom complications

Whether you’ve just gotten an Apple Watch or have had one for a while and just haven’t tracked your steps closely before, it’s easy to do. Follow along for how to see steps on Apple Watch including distance, flights climbed, along with daily, monthly, and yearly trends. We’ll also look at how to make custom complications to track steps right on Apple Watch faces.

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Here’s how and why you should set up cardio fitness on Apple Watch and iPhone

How to set up Cardio Fitness on Apple Watch and iPhone

One of the valuable, and lesser-known health features of Apple Watch is cardio fitness. The measurement is based on your VO2 max which Apple Watch can estimate when recording three specific workouts. Follow along for a look at how to use cardio fitness on Apple Watch and iPhone including why it’s important, how to set it up, and how to measure/view cardio fitness levels.

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Apple Watch ban news hub: Everything you need to know

check blood oxygen with Apple Watch

The Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 are embroiled in an ongoing ITC situation, which briefly barred the devices from being sold in the United States last month. This comes after the ITC ruled that the Apple Watch’s blood oxygen sensor infringes on two patents held by medical device company Masimo.

As it stands right now, Apple is still selling the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 in the United States, but with the blood oxygen features disabled due to the ITC ruling.

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Here’s why HRV is important and how can you track it with Apple Watch and iPhone

Use HRV with Apple Watch iPhone

HRV is a valuable health metric that’s measured by Apple Watch, however, there’s no native integration in watchOS or iOS to better understand and make use of the data – leaving that to third-party apps. Below we’ll cover what HRV is, why it’s important, and how to record and use HRV with Apple Watch and iPhone.

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Best Apple Watch to buy for kids

How to use Apple Watch Schooltime feature

Apple Watch for kids is something parents are embracing more and more. The New York Times once reported that Apple Watch adoption is happening among children as young as five. Parents are finding the Apple Watch more appropriate for kids wanting smartphones.

The Apple Watch gives kids a way to stay in touch with parents, share location, and build responsibility without the full cost and complexity of a smartphone. Wondering if it may be time to consider adding more connectivity without the commitment of a smartphone? Read this first…

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Apple had an update ready months ago to switch off the Apple Watch pulse oximeter

Apple Watch Masimo patent ITC ban US oximeter blood oxygen

After having sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 banned in the US due to a patent dispute, Apple was able to put these models back in stores by switching off the blood oxygen feature. It was still somewhat unclear how exactly Apple was doing this, but 9to5Mac learned not only the method Apple has been using to limit the feature in the US, but also that this update was ready months ago.

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Masimo CEO says Apple Watch users better off without blood oxygen feature, calls it unreliable

apple watch blood oxygen study - ban

Apple on Thursday began selling revised models of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 in the US without the blood oxygen feature as the company faces a patent dispute with medical company Masimo. In the midst of this situation, Masimo CEO Joe Kiani said that Apple Watch users are better off without the blood oxygen feature, as he calls it unreliable.

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Apple Watch Series 9

How to find out if an Apple Watch Series 9 model has the blood oxygen feature available

As of today, all new Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 models sold by Apple do not support the blood oxygen feature. This is due to an ongoing patent dispute with Masimo. But if you are buying an Apple Watch from eBay or a third-party retailer right now, how do you know if your watch will have the blood oxygen feature enabled or not?

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Apple begins selling Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 without the blood oxygen feature

Apple vs Masimo mistrial | Apple Watch O2 reading

Earlier today, a US appeals court rejected Apple’s request to pause the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 ban as the company appeals an ITC ruling that the Apple Watch blood oxygen sensor infringes on two patents held by medical device company Masimo.

Under this decision, Apple will be barred from selling the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 with pulse oximetry features starting tomorrow, January 18 at 5 p.m. ET.

Apple, however, has a plan. The company tells 9to5Mac that it will begin selling the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 in the United States without the blood oxygen feature tomorrow.

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Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 sales ban resumes tomorrow, appeals court rules

The Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 with blood oxygen features will be banned from sale in the United States again, effective 5:00 pm ET on January 18, 2024.

The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has denied Apple’s request to pause the ban for the duration of its appeal of the ITC’s ruling that the devices infringe on two patents held by medical device company Masimo.

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Get the limited edition Racing Yellow Nomad Apple Watch band and iPhone case while they last [U]

Nomad limited edition Racing Yellow watch band iPhone case

Following up on the slick limited edition Strike Sport Apple Watch band, Nomad is out with its latest limited-run band and iPhone case. Here are all the details on the new vibrant Racing Yellow finish for Nomad’s popular Apple Watch Sport Band and iPhone Sport Case.

Update 1/15/24: The limited edition Racing Yellow Apple Watch Sport Band is back in stock – for now (Racing Yellow iPhone Sport Case remains sold out).

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Apple readies Apple Watch Series 9 ban workaround by disabling blood oxygen functionality [U]

apple watch blood oxygen study - ban

The U.S. Customs agency has handed down its decision on whether Apple’s proposed redesign of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 is enough to circumvent infringing on two Masimo patents related to the blood oxygen sensor.

In a filing on Monday with the Federal Circuit, attorneys for Masimo say that “U.S. Customs and Border Protection decided that Apple’s redesign falls outside the scope of” the ITC ruling. Apple’s redesign, however, is to remove the pulse oximetry features from newly sold devices.

Update: Apple says Series 9 and Ultra 2 will remain available with the blood oxygen readings for the time being while the US appeals court considers a stay during the ITC appeal period.

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