Subj : Apple stops selling the Apple Watch 9 and Ultra 2, but it's still
To   : All
From : TechnologyDaily
Date : Thu Dec 21 2023 05:15:06

Apple stops selling the Apple Watch 9 and Ultra 2, but it's still possible to 
buy them

Date:
Thu, 21 Dec 2023 05:00:59 +0000

Description:
Even though the Apple Watch ban is in effect, you can still purchase the 
devices through online platforms like Amazon.

FULL STORY
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Apple will soon completely stop selling the Apple Watch 9 and Ultra 2 in the 
United States as a new ban takes place. 

If youre not familiar with the situation, Apple has been engrossed in a 
year-long patent battle with medical tech company Masimo over the blood 
oxygen sensor on its smartwatches. A US judge ruled that the tech giant 
infringed on Masimos patent back in January. Apple has tried to fight back, 
but the International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled against them, effectively 
setting a ban on the wearables. 

Beginning today, December 21, the Apple Watch 9 and Ultra 2 will no longer be 
available for purchase in the companys official store. The smartwatches will 
continue to be on sale at Apple Store locations until Christmas Eve, then 
they'll be pulled off the shelves. 

It will still be possible to buy the device through third-party retailers, 
however, keep in mind Apple will not be making any more units due to the 
ruling. So whatever is found online is all thatll be left for the foreseeable 
future. 

Weve collected multiple listings for the wearables into a couple of tables. 
If youre interested, we recommend acting fast because once theyre gone, 
theyre gone. These platforms will not receive new stock after theyre sold 
out. Apple Watch 9 Apple Watch Ultra 2 

These are the only two models affected by the ban. The Apple Watch SE lacks 
blood oxygen monitoring so its safe. Also, if you already own an Apple Watch 
9, Ultra 2, or an older model, the tech will continue working as usual. There 
wont be a patch that disables blood oxygen monitoring or anything like that. 
The plan moving forward 

So, what is Apples plan moving forward? Well first, the company says it will 
appeal the ruling to the Federal Circuit with the hope of getting it lifted. 
Bloomberg recently reported Apple is working on a software update that will 
tweak the feature so it can bypass the ban. Masimo CEO Joe Kiani told the 
publication the patent issue concerns hardware, not software so the patch 
wont solve anything. But he is willing to work things out with them. 

Some have raised the point that President Biden could veto the ban. He has 
the authority to do so. Whether or not he actually will seems to depend on 
what US Trade Representative Katherine Tai decides. White House Press 
Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Ambassador Tai is considering all 
of the factors in this case [and] has the authority to decide what happens to 
the Apple Watch models. 

One day, the devices could come back, but no one knows for sure at the 
moment. 

Be sure to check out TechRadar's list on the best Apple Watches for 2023 . 
You might also like Apple could still rescue the Watch 9 and Ultra 2 from a 
ban with rare ... Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Series 9 sales ban: all your 
questions ... You'll still be able to buy an Apple Watch 9 after its ban, but 
Apple ... Apple is about to stop selling the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 
....



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Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/health-fitness/smartwatches/apple-stops-selling-the-
apple-watch-9-and-ultra-2-but-its-still-possible-to-buy-them


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