_x000D_Screenshot: Apple – YouTube

Why did Apple pause sales of its Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches in the United States before Christmas 2023?

In a twist that’s more legal drama than tech thriller, Apple announced it would pause sales of its Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches in the United States starting Dec. 21, 2023, online and Dec. 24 in stores. This decision came after the International Trade Commission ruled in October 2023 that these models infringed on patents held by Masimo, a medical technology company, specifically the blood oxygen feature used to detect people’s pulse rate. On Dec. 25, an appeals court temporarily paused enforcement of that ruling while the legal fight ensues.