Apple Watch Blood Oxygen Feature: Tech Giant Restores With iOS 18.6.1, WatchOS 11.6.1 Update; Heres How Users Can Access It
The feature was removed for months because of a patent dispute. Now, Apple has found a workaround and is restoring it through the new iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1 updates. Apple's decision to release the update follows a fresh US Customs ruling that allows the company to import watches with a redesigned version of the technology.
Apple's Blood Oxygen Feature; How Users Can Access It
In the US, users of these Apple Watch models who don't currently have the Blood Oxygen feature can get the redesigned version by updating their iPhone to iOS 18.6.1 and Apple Watch to watchOS 11.6.1.
Apple's Blood Oxygen Feature: How It Works
With the update, the Blood Oxygen app on Apple Watch will send data to the paired iPhone for processing, and results will appear in the Health app under the Respiratory section. This change follows a US Customs ruling. In short, Apple Watch users can measure blood oxygen on their watch again, but the results will show up on the iPhone. Apple Watches already sold with the original feature, or those bought outside the US, won't be affected.
Apple's Blood Oxygen Feature Banned In 2023
Apple's blood oxygen feature, removed in late 2023 after a patent dispute with Masimo Corp. and a US Customs ban, is now returning for Apple Watch models where it was disabled. The comeback follows a Customs ruling. Adding further, Apple is also expected to launch new Apple Watch models with the iPhone 17, again highlighting blood oxygen tracking along with health tools like heart rate monitoring.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Google agrees $36 million fine for anti-competitive deals with Australia telcos
Google agreed on Monday to pay a A$55 million ($35.8 million) fine in Australia after the consumer watchdog found it had hurt competition by paying the country's two largest telcos to pre-install its search application on Android phones, excluding rival search engines. The fine extends a bumpy period for the Alphabet-owned internet giant in Australia, where last week a court mostly ruled against it in a lawsuit brought by Fortnite maker Epic Games accusing Google and Apple of preventing rival application stores in their operating systems. Google's YouTube was also last month added to an Australian ban on social media platforms admitting users aged under 16, reversing an earlier decision to exempt the video-sharing site. On anti-competitive tie-ups with Australian telcos, the country's consumer watchdog on Monday said Google struck deals with Telstra and Optus, under which the tech giant shared with them advertising revenue generated from Google Search on Android devices between late 2019 and early 2021. Google admitted the arrangement had a substantial impact on competition from rival search engines, and has stopped signing similar deals while also agreeing to the fine, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) added. 'Today's outcome … created the potential for millions of Australians to have greater search choice in the future, and for competing search providers to gain meaningful exposure to Australian consumers,' ACCC Chair Gina-Cass Gottlieb said. Google and the ACCC have jointly submitted to the Federal Court that Google should pay the A$55 million fine. The court must still decide if the penalty is appropriate, the ACCC said, but the cooperation between the regulator and Google has helped avoid lengthy litigation. A Google spokesperson said the company was pleased to resolve the ACCC's concerns which involved 'provisions that haven't been in our commercial agreements for some time'. 'We are committed to providing Android device makers more flexibility to pre-load browsers and search apps, while preserving the offerings and features that help them innovate, compete with Apple, and keep costs low,' the spokesperson added. Google owns Android. A Telstra spokesperson referred Reuters to an earlier statement saying it and Optus, owned by Singapore Telecommunications, had fully cooperated with the ACCC and promised not to sign agreements with Google to pre-install its search product since 2024. SingTel was not immediately available for comment.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Apple reportedly developing new operating system for future smart devices
Apple is reportedly working on a completely new operating system codenamed 'Charismatic'. As reported by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the new OS is said to power Apple's yet-to-launch smart home hub and a tabletop robot which the company is expected to unveil in 2026 and 2027 respectively. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This new operating system from Apple will mark a major expansion of the company's software ecosystem beyond iOS, macOS, and watchOS. Apple working on new operating system for smart living The new version of the operating system is said to be Apple's long-rumored homeOS , designed specifically for ambient smart devices. As reported by Gurman, the new 'Charismatic' operating system will be blend of elements of tvOS and watchOS. The upcoming OS is said to feature a hexagonal grid of apps which is similar to that of Apple Watch interface. It is also tipped with come with multi-user support with facial recognition which will help in personalising content and layout. The smart home hub is also said to come with Siri voice control as the primary input method with optional touch interaction. The pre-installed apps will include Calendar, Camera, Music, Reminders, and Notes, tailored for shared household use. Apple is expected to reveal more about Charismatic in the coming months, potentially aligning with hardware announcements for its smart home ecosystem. The move signals Apple's deeper push into AI-powered ambient computing , where devices adapt seamlessly to users' environments and routines.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Apple iPhone 17 launch date: New Watch series, HomePod 3 likely to be launched along with iPhone 17; check new products and rumored date
As Apple fans eagerly wait to get their hands on the iPhone 17, fresh speculations around the release of other Apple products are doing the rounds. Notably, in 2025, besides the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro, Apple is expected to unveil the Watch Series 11 and possibly the Apple Watch Ultra 3. A new version of the AirPods Pro, an updated Apple TV 4K, and the smart home hub HomePod 3 could also be released. According to Forbes and Bloomberg, rumors about the launch dates of the premium smartphone are also circulating. If speculations are to be believed, Apple is set to release its product lineup on September 9, 2025 (Tuesday). There is, however, no confirmation from the tech giant about the launch, and rumors are based on the company's history of product releases. Apple had announced iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, built for Apple Intelligence, on September 9, 2024, according to the company's press release. If history repeats itself, then the iPhone 17 launch event will take place at the company's Cupertino campus. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like With temperatures hitting 95°F, this is the mini air conditioner everyone's buying in the U.S News of the Discovery Undo iPhone 17 release date rumored schedule Apple event announcement date 8 a.m. PT / 11 a.m. ET on August 26 Live Events iPhone 17 launch event September 9 iPhone 17, Air, and Pro available for pre-order September 12 iOS 26 release date September 15 or 16 iPhone 17, Air, and Pro on sale September 19 With the official announcement from Apple still awaited, Bloomberg and Forbes have claimed that the keynote will take place on August 26, 2025 (Tuesday). Invites are also expected to start rolling out through email to select members of the press.
