- Masimo CEO Joe Kiani criticizes Apple, stating that the blood oxygen feature on the Apple Watch is unreliable and lacks continuous monitoring.
- A US court ruling in Masimo’s favor prompts an International Trade Commission ban on certain Apple Watch sales. Apple responds by excluding the blood oxygen feature in revised models.
- Apple supports the accuracy of the feature through studies. However, Masimo’s CEO maintains skepticism, emphasizing the necessity for ongoing monitoring, particularly in conditions such as sleep apnea.
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Masimo CEO Joe Kiani recently voiced serious doubts about the accuracy of the Apple Watch’s blood oxygen monitoring feature in an interview with Bloomberg TV. This critique coincides with an ongoing legal battle between Apple and Masimo over patent infringement, which saw a US court ruling in Masimo’s favor and an International Trade Commission (ITC) ban on some Apple Watch sales.
Masimo CEO Discredits Apple Watch’s Blood Oxygen Monitoring
Kiani stated that Apple is “masquerading” the blood oxygen feature as a “reliable, medical pulse oximeter,” which is not how dependable it actually is. He claimed that continuous pulse oximetry, which is essential for tracking oxygen saturation levels, is the only circumstance in which it is useful, and that the Apple Watch does not have this capability. Kiani asserts that customers are “better off without it.”
Legal Battle Overview
The legal dispute began in January 2023 when a US court declared that Apple had infringed upon Masimo’s patents pertaining to pulse oximetry technology. The Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2, which were the models in question, were no longer sold in the United States by Apple last month after the ITC affirmed the judgment. Apple decided to turn off the pulse oximetry capability in the updated versions that were made available on Thursday in order to abide by the restriction.
Apple’s Defense and Independent Studies
Apple responded to Kiani’s objections by stating that the blood oxygen feature is dependable and has the potential to save lives. The IT company backed up its assertion with references to two other studies. A 2021 study by the University of São Paulo concluded that the results from Apple Watches and standard oximeters were “fairly accurate and similar.” Comparing the oximeter on the Apple Watch with Masimo Radical-7, another study that was published in the 2022 issue of SAGE’s Digital Health magazine came to similar findings.
Continuous Monitoring Debate
Kiani, who maintains that continuous monitoring yields the best results from pulse oximetry, is not persuaded by these findings. He underlined in particular how crucial it is to identify severe reductions in oxygen saturation, particularly in individuals suffering from diseases such as sleep apnea. Although the Apple Watch periodically checks on its wearer as they sleep, some claim that it is not as effective as other medical gadgets.
Outlook on the Ongoing Dispute
It’s obvious that Masimo and Apple’s legal dispute is far from resolved because both sides are sticking to their views. In reaction to the ITC prohibition, Apple made a calculated decision to keep selling its smartwatches in the US market by removing the blood oxygen feature from the updated versions. Debates concerning the accuracy of health-monitoring features in consumer products are likely to continue as technology and healthcare converge, influencing future industry standards and legal precedents.
