Apple has stopped promoting the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 in the US on its on-line retailer, simply days earlier than a ban associated to a patent dispute takes impact.
The firm additionally will not be capable to restore watch fashions which might be out-of-warranty, a possible headache for shoppers.
The latest Apple Watch fashions have been not obtainable for buy from the firm’s web site as of about 3pm Thursday in New York. The firm beforehand stated it could finish gross sales at its about 270 bodily retail shops in the US on December 24. Online buying in the US was stopped sooner than in-store gross sales in order that watches could possibly be despatched to shoppers earlier than a ban scheduled for December 25 goes into impact. Sales will proceed at Apple’s worldwide on-line and in-person shops.
Apple posted a message on the web site saying it “no longer sells Apple Watch units in the United States with the ability to measure blood oxygen.” Apple Watch SE fashions with out that characteristic are nonetheless on sale.
The gross sales ban was imposed by the US International Trade Commission, which dominated that Apple violated two health-technology patents associated to blood oxygen sensing held by Irvine, California-based Masimo.
Separately, Apple’s customer support groups have been knowledgeable in a memo that the firm will not substitute out-of-warranty fashions going again to Apple Watch Series 6. That means if a buyer has a damaged display screen, for example, they will not be capable to get the challenge mounted by Apple. The firm will nonetheless provide assist that may be completed by way of software program, similar to reinstalling the working system.
Company representatives have been instructed to inform affected prospects that they are going to be contacted when {hardware} replacements are allowed once more. Generally earlier than the ban, Apple was unable to repair most of the {hardware} points with the smartwatch and, as a substitute, changed these items.
The resolution to cease watch replacements impacts most new Apple Watches bought since 2020, together with the Series 6, 7, 8 and Ultra, in addition to the present 9 and Ultra 2. All of these fashions embody the blood oxygen characteristic the fee dominated have been coated by the patents.
Customers who buy watches earlier than December 25 — the day the ban comes into place in the US — and fashions which might be nonetheless beneath guarantee aren’t affected by the substitute prohibition. The included guarantee for the machine is often one 12 months, whereas customers pays for AppleCare to increase the time interval.
After December 25, Apple additionally will not be capable to trade a watch bought earlier than the ban, say for a special coloration or measurement, throughout the typical return interval. Retail workers was instructed a product swap will not be allowed, however Apple will substitute equipment like bands. Watches can nonetheless be returned for a refund.
Earlier this week, Apple staff have been instructed they can not inform prospects that the Apple Watch stays on sale at third-party retailers, similar to Best Buy and Target, because of the authorized order. The watch will probably proceed to be obtainable at these shops till the provide already in the US runs out. Apple will not be capable to import extra watches — that are made abroad — till after the fee’s order is lifted.
The ban on the watches stays in impact till Apple reaches a licensing settlement with Masimo, will get a federal reprieve or fixes the drawback. Apple is engaged on a software program replace it believes will mitigate the challenge.
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