The Apple Watch ban you inquired about is a specific situation affecting the latest models, Series 9 and Ultra 2, in the United States only. As of today, December 26, 2023, the import ban is in effect.
Here’s a breakdown of the situation:
- Reason for the ban: A patent infringement lawsuit filed by Masimo, a medical device company, against Apple. Masimo claimed that Apple’s blood oxygen monitoring technology in the Apple Watch infringed on their patents.
- Ruling: In October 2023, the US International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled in favor of Masimo, leading to the import ban on the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2.
- Impact of the ban: Apple stopped selling these models online and in physical stores in the US as of December 21st, 2023. Existing owners are not affected, and the ban only applies to new imports and sales.
- Future implications: Apple is exploring ways to overcome the ban, potentially through software changes or licensing agreements with Masimo. The President can also choose to veto the ban.
Important points to remember:
- The ban only applies to the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 models in the US. Older models and other regions are not affected.
- You can still find Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 models at some retailers in the US, but they won’t be able to restock once their current inventory is sold out.
- Apple is working on resolving the issue, and the ban may not be permanent.
Here are some additional resources you may find helpful:
- The Verge article: https://www.theverge.com/23878981/apple-watch-series-9-ultra-2-review-double-tap-precision-finding-siri
- Apple’s official support page: https://www.apple.com/apple-watch-series-9/
I hope this information is helpful! Let me know if you have any other questions.