Apple Watch Loses Battle: Google Wades into Blood Oxygen Scene with New Rival Health Wearable

The Apple Watch Series 10: A Health-Tracking Feature You Won’t Find in the US

Apple’s latest smartwatch, the Series 10, has been making waves in the tech world, but there’s one important feature that’s missing in action for US customers. The blood oxygen monitor, a key health-tracking feature, is disabled in the US due to a patent dispute with medical company Masimo.

The Patent Dispute

Apple is yet to strike a deal with Masimo to license the technology, and as a result, the Series 10 is only available for sale in the US without the blood oxygen monitor. This doesn’t affect users worldwide, who can enjoy the feature without any issues.

A Silver Lining for Wear OS Watch Owners

Meanwhile, Masimo has partnered with Google to bring its biosensing technology to Wear OS watches. This means that manufacturers can build Wear OS devices with a suite of health and wellness tracking tools that provide accurate, reliable data and seamless integration with Android smartphones.

What Does This Mean for Wear OS Watch Owners?

The "reference platform" will enable a consistent experience of health tracking technology across a wide range of devices. Masimo’s biosensing technologies will be powered by hardware and software algorithms, and the company will build the rest of the internals for this reference design.

Key Features of the Reference Platform

• A suite of health and wellness tracking tools
• Accurate, reliable data
• Seamless integration with Android smartphones
• High-quality, high-performance experience
• Compatibility with existing apps and services made for Wear OS
• Manufacturers still have control over external design and user interface

What Does Google Have to Say?

According to Bjorn Kilburn, GM of Wear OS at Google, "Building quality smartwatches with premium features that users have come to expect can be time-consuming and costly. With Masimo’s reference platform, smartwatch makers are able to benefit from state-of-the-art biosensing technology and quickly bring their Wear OS devices to market, at scale. Together, we’re promoting innovation across the Wear OS ecosystem that provides end users with high-performing, feature-rich devices to choose from."

Get Your Hands on a Wear OS Watch

If you’re in the market for a Wear OS watch, consider checking out the TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro, now available for £230.90 (30% off the original price of £329.99). With its long-lasting battery life and tough design, it’s a great option for those looking for a reliable smartwatch.