The Apple Watch Ultra owners thread (1 Viewer)

[Nelson Au]

Thanks Dave, there is the Ultra 3 next year. But if the lawsuit is not resolved, my guess is the watch will remove the pulse ox feature.

 

[DaveF]

I don't see Apple removing a marquee feature. Apple will pay or they will find a way a non-infringing implementation.

 

[Nelson Au]

I tend to agree Dave. We’ll see.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Hey guys- I’ve been considering upgrading my Apple Watch Series 4 to the Ultra 2. I had not been in a big hurry as my Series 4 is still working, except the ECG feature stopped working a year into ownership.

i really like the new features on the watches from the year before the Ultra was even announced such as the pulse ox. But I see now in the Apple Insider news app/site that a lawsuit against Apple over the how the pulse ox is read on a wearable will cause Apple to stop importing the watch. From what I read, a company called Masimo has the technology and sued Apple for copyright infringement. So sales on the Apple site will stop on December 21 and on December 24th at the Apple Stores.

So I’m debating if I should do it now, because the ban could go on for sometime.

Apple halts Apple Watch sales in US from December 21

Apple will be stopping sales of the Apple Watch in the United States, in order to comply with an ITC ruling in its patent infringement dispute with Masimo.

appleinsider.com

I would go for it.

I had my doubts, as many did when the original ULTRA was announced concerning its size. Turns out that once most people put it on their wrist, they fall in love with it. It's a great watch.

 

[Nelson Au]

Thanks Ron! That’s good to know. I do wonder if I should wait for the Ultra 3, but that’s a game that just delays enjoying it now.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Thanks Ron! That’s good to know. I do wonder if I should wait for the Ultra 3, but that’s a game that just delays enjoying it now.

My only concern about waiting for the Ultra 3 is that they may take the controversial feature away.

The only rumor I am hearing about Ultra 3 is that it will be available in black. Other rumors suggest the watch won't be updated at all next year.

Future rumors, pointing to 2025 or 2026 are saying Ultra will move to an energy-saving MicroLED with an even larger screen.

 

[Nelson Au]

Thanks Ron, I’ve not kept up with the rumors! About Ultra 3 removing the controversial feature, i had that concern, but Dave doesn’t see that happening.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Thanks Ron, I’ve not kept up with the rumors! About Ultra 3 removing the controversial feature, i had that concern, but Dave doesn’t see that happening.

Anything is possible. I agree chances are better than not that Apple will pay what they need to to continue offering the feature. Just very difficult, at the moment, to see if there is even going to be an Ultra 3 next year. I still think you are probably better off buying now, especially for the fact that the watch has been discounted many times over the past few weeks.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Anything is possible. I agree chances are better than not that Apple will pay what they need to to continue offering the feature. Just very difficult, at the moment, to see if there is even going to be an Ultra 3 next year. I still think you are probably better off buying now, especially for the fact that the watch has been discounted many times over the past few weeks.

....but then again you come across a rumor like this one

2024 Apple Watch could pack two major new health features | Cult of Mac

 

[Robert Saccone]

Always fun to watch the rumors and see what actually comes true.
I suspect that Apple will work on an alternative implementation that doesn't infringe while trying to cut a deal with Masimo (who bought Sound United a little while back and now own quite a set of audio companies including Denon, Marantz, B&W).

 

[Nelson Au]

Thanks Ron for that link. I’m thinking the rumors are rumors and speculation. it does make one pause though.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Thanks Ron for that link. I’m thinking the rumors are rumors and speculation. it does make one pause though.

Here is another link for you

Cheap Apple Watch Ultra 2 Price

Compare Apple Watch Ultra 2 prices on every model from top retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, B&H and Adorama.

prices.appleinsider.com

I use AppleInsider, among other sites, to track Apple sales.

This will give you up-to-date pricing on the Ultra 2. Let us know if you end up buying one and share your impressions.

I tell yuh, I have said this many times over...

I think the Apple Watch is the best product Apple makes. The Ultra is a beautiful device. Once you put it on and start using it -- especially for fitness -- you'll think the same.

 

[Nelson Au]

Thanks for the link with the pricing. Looking at it, I was thinking how one would buy AppleCare as I usually buy direct from Apple.

I have no doubt the Ultra 2 will be a great watch! I use my Series 4 all the time for fitness tracking and other tasks.

 

[Robert Saccone]

Thanks for the link with the pricing. Looking at it, I was thinking how one would buy AppleCare as I usually buy direct from Apple.

I have no doubt the Ultra 2 will be a great watch! I use my Series 4 all the time for fitness tracking and other tasks.

I think you should be able to buy Apple Care right in the Watch App on your phone in the Aboit section.

 

[Nelson Au]

Thanks Robert

 

[Nelson Au]

I picked it up tonight.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

View attachment 207070

I picked it up tonight.

Congrats, Nelson! That's great news.

Looking forward to your impressions of it, particularly how it's sized on your wrist.

I think you are going to immensely enjoy this watch.

 

[Nelson Au]

Thanks Ron! I’m curious how the size will fit on my wrist too!

I’ll post when it’s all set it up and I’ve had a chance to play with it.

 

[John Dirk]

Hey guys- I’ve been considering upgrading my Apple Watch Series 4 to the Ultra 2. I had not been in a big hurry as my Series 4 is still working, except the ECG feature stopped working a year into ownership.

i really like the new features on the watches from the year before the Ultra was even announced such as the pulse ox. But I see now in the Apple Insider news app/site that a lawsuit against Apple over the how the pulse ox is read on a wearable will cause Apple to stop importing the watch. From what I read, a company called Masimo has the technology and sued Apple for copyright infringement. So sales on the Apple site will stop on December 21 and on December 24th at the Apple Stores.

So I’m debating if I should do it now, because the ban could go on for sometime.

Apple halts Apple Watch sales in US from December 21

Apple will be stopping sales of the Apple Watch in the United States, in order to comply with an ITC ruling in its patent infringement dispute with Masimo.

appleinsider.com

This will be an interesting one to "watch" [see what I did there] unfold as Masimo happens to be the corporate parent of some of our most beloved audio brands, including Marantz. My bet is Apple will fight to the end to avoid a precedent setting event.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

This will be an interesting one to "watch" [see what I did there] unfold as Masimo happens to be the corporate parent of some of our most beloved audio brands, including Marantz. My bet is Apple will fight to the end to avoid a precedent setting event.

I see what you did there

I agree that Apple will fight this. Too much at stake.

Meanwhile, the watches have just been removed from Apple's website.