Photo by Cherlynn Low / Engadget

Hold Your Horses, Watch Fans: Series 9 and Ultra 2 on Vacation Until Further Notice

Apple Watch is making holiday headlines – but not the kind you hope for under the tree. Due to a patent dispute, the coveted Series 9 and Ultra 2 are temporarily banished from both Apple’s online store and physical outlets starting December 24th.

The Case of the Missing Watches:

The culprit? Masimo, a medical tech company, claims Apple infringed on their light-based blood oxygen monitoring tech in these two models. The US International Trade Commission (ITC) sided with Masimo, resulting in a sales ban in the US. Older Apple Watches with blood oxygen monitoring aren’t affected, keeping Series 6 and earlier safe for now.

Apple’s Next Move:

The tech giant isn’t taking this sitting down. They’re appealing the decision, hoping to bring the Watch duo back home. They’ve even tried pausing the ban until the appeal is settled, but the ITC wasn’t having it.

What does this mean for you?

• Don’t mourn just yet: You can still snag older Apple Watches or the blood oxygen-less SE model.
• Third-party rescue? These banned beauties might still be lurking at retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and Walmart – but hurry, their days are numbered.
• The waiting game: If you have your heart set on Series 9 or Ultra 2, grab a comfy chair and settle in. It might be a while before they grace US shelves again.

Behind the Curtain:

This isn’t the only drama in the smartwatch arena. Apple and Masimo are embroiled in another legal battle, with Apple accusing Masimo of copying their watch features. Juicy, right?

The Takeaway:

The Apple Watch ban throws a curveball this holiday season. While older models and third-party options offer alternatives, the fate of Series 9 and Ultra 2 remains up in the air. So, keep your fingers crossed, stay tuned for updates, and maybe start planning that Mexican or Canadian vacation – because waiting for this watch war to resolve might take a while.