Apple and Masimo Resume Legal Actions Concerning Appeal of Apple Watch Import Restriction

**Apple Challenges Ruling on Blood-Oxygen Sensor Restriction for Apple Watches**

Today, Apple appeared at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit aiming to overturn a decision that prohibited the U.S. sale of Apple Watches featuring blood-oxygen sensors. This legal confrontation holds substantial consequences for both Apple and the medical technology firm Masimo, which initiated the legal proceedings.

### A Brief Overview

The dispute between Apple and Masimo commenced in 2021 when Masimo accused Apple of violating multiple patents pertaining to blood-oxygen sensing technology. In 2023, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled in favor of Masimo, concluding that Apple infringed its intellectual property rights. As a result, the ITC imposed an import ban on the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2.

After the ruling, Apple temporarily ceased sales of both models in the U.S. but later resumed after obtaining a temporary hold on the ban. Nonetheless, when the court reinstated the ban in January 2024, Apple had to disable the blood-oxygen feature in newly sold models to align with the ruling.

In today’s appeal, Apple seeks to completely overturn the ITC’s ruling, reinstate the blood-oxygen capability on U.S.-sold watches, and persist in providing this functionality to its customers.

### Today’s Appeal

During the oral presentations, Apple’s lawyer, Joseph Mueller, contended that the ban unjustly deprived millions of Apple Watch users of the blood-oxygen feature. He maintained that Masimo’s assertions were baseless, emphasizing that the company’s first wearable with blood-oxygen tracking did not debut until 2022, two years following Apple’s launch of the feature.

Mueller remarked, “The ban lacked justification as Masimo only possessed prototypes of a smartwatch with pulse oximetry capabilities when it lodged its ITC complaint.” In reply, Masimo’s lawyer argued that Apple was mistaken in claiming that a “finished product” was essential to justify the ITC’s ruling.

The judges seemed to ponder whether Masimo’s subsequent development of a rival smartwatch justified the import ban, indicating that Apple’s arguments may have found favor with the court.

### 9to5Mac’s Perspective

While the court has not yet rendered a decision, today’s session suggested that Apple is altering its strategy. With earlier efforts to invalidate Masimo’s patents unsuccessful, Apple is now asserting that a patent dispute involving prototypes should not be adequate reason to exclude a flagship product from the market. The result of this appeal could have profound effects for both companies and the wearable technology industry as a whole.

As the situation progresses, the tech community will be closely observing to determine if Apple’s new legal strategy will produce a positive result.

Apple Enhances Liquid Glass Design for Improved Usability in iOS 26 Beta 3

### Apple’s Liquid Glass Visual Component: A Design Advancement in iOS 26

Apple’s newest version of its mobile operating system, iOS 26, is unveiling a major visual transformation with the introduction of the Liquid Glass component. This design feature is intended to enrich the user interface by offering a new aesthetic while retaining functionality. Nonetheless, as developers and users dive into the iOS 26 developer beta 3, it has become clear that the transparency effects linked to Liquid Glass are being modified ahead of the public launch.

#### Modifications in Transparency Effects

In the shift from iOS 26 beta 2 to beta 3, Apple has diminished the transparency effect in various regions, especially in navigation bars across certain applications. This change is noticeable when contrasting the two beta versions, with beta 3 presenting a darker and more understated look. This alteration is probably aimed at enhancing legibility and usability, responding to feedback from initial testers who found the earlier transparency effects to be visually overpowering in certain scenarios.

#### Visual Contrasts

The following instances demonstrate the visual alterations between iOS 26 beta 2 and beta 3:

1. **Navigation Bars**: The navigation bars in select apps now showcase a more opaque design, which boosts readability against the surrounding content.
2. **Photos App**: While the Liquid Glass effect still persists, the overall layout has not changed significantly, striking a balance between visual appeal and practicality.
3. **Apple Podcasts**: Comparable modifications have been implemented in the Podcasts app, where the visual effects have been polished to ensure improved clarity.

These modifications signify Apple’s ongoing dedication to refining user experience while integrating innovative design components.

#### User Experience Factors

The changes to the Liquid Glass effect may generate mixed reactions among users. For those who enjoyed the striking visual effects of content morphing beneath navigation bars, the reduction in transparency might seem like a regression. However, this adjustment is likely a response to user feedback, prioritizing clarity and usability over merely aesthetic aspects.

Apple’s design philosophy frequently highlights a balance between form and functionality, and the changes observed in iOS 26 appear to resonate with this principle. The refinement of the Liquid Glass effect is a reflection of Apple’s iterative design methodology, where user experience remains central.

#### Conclusion

As iOS 26 nears its public beta rollout, the adaptations to the Liquid Glass visual component underscore Apple’s attentiveness to user feedback and its commitment to enhancing the overall user experience. While some might long for the earlier transparency effects, the recent changes are intended to bolster legibility and usability, ensuring that the interface remains both attractive and effective. As users continue to navigate these updates, it will be intriguing to see how they respond to the shifting design narrative of Apple’s mobile ecosystem.

macOS 26 Beta 3 Launches Fresh ‘Tahoe Day’ Aerial Screen Saver – Get It Now

### New ‘Tahoe Day’ Selection Among Landscape Wallpaper Options in macOS 26 Beta 3

Apple has recently launched macOS 26 beta 3, featuring numerous bug fixes and enhancements, alongside an exciting new element: the “Tahoe Day” aerial screen saver and wallpaper. This update enriches the visual experience on Mac devices, akin to the native video screen savers introduced in tvOS.

The “Tahoe Day” screen saver displays the breathtaking landscapes of Lake Tahoe, highlighting its rocky shores and snow-dusted mountains in the backdrop. This screen saver transitions seamlessly into the wallpaper upon unlocking the device, offering a unified aesthetic.

Following the installation of the macOS Tahoe 26 developer beta 3, users can locate the new wallpaper in System Settings under the Wallpaper category, specifically within the Landscape collection. Importantly, this wallpaper is automatically configured as the system default after the update.

### Steps to Install macOS Tahoe 26 Developer Beta 3

To install the latest beta release, users should start by backing up their Mac. The installation steps are simple:

1. Access System Settings.
2. Go to General ⇾ Software Update.
3. Click the ‘i’ icon adjacent to Beta Updates.
4. Choose the macOS Developer Tahoe Beta from the dropdown menu.
5. Click ‘Done’.

### Any Update on the Public Beta?

Apple has stated that public betas are anticipated to be launched this month, typically following the schedule associated with developer beta 3 or 4. Users interested in experiencing the public beta can monitor the official Apple beta website for any announcements.

For those excited to try the new “Tahoe Day” screen saver and wallpaper, be sure to download the full-resolution image or video from the provided links.

Leak Suggests Forthcoming Unrevealed Enhancements for Apple Maps in iOS 26

Apple Maps keeps enhancing every year, with the introduction of new functionalities in iOS 26 contributing to this progression. Recent findings in the iOS beta code imply that Apple might be incorporating further features into its Maps app.

### iOS 26 Code Unveils Possible Upgrades for Apple Maps

Steve Moser has recently provided information from the iOS 26 beta code, unveiling two new functionalities for Apple Maps that have yet to be officially announced by Apple.

#### Natural Language Search

The first capability is a natural language search function. This upgrade permits users to look for locations using conversational phrases, such as “Best coffee shops with free wi-fi.” This feature is driven by Apple Intelligence and has already been utilized in other Apple applications like Photos and Music, greatly enhancing user satisfaction.

#### Thermal Management Feature

The second finding relates to a novel thermal management feature designed to prevent iPhone overheating during navigation. At present, Apple Maps keeps the device’s display active during navigation to ensure that directions remain visible. However, this can cause overheating, particularly when the device is affixed to a dashboard in warm weather. The new feature will enable the screen to turn off while navigating, assisting in cooling the device.

### Conclusion

Although these features are not currently accessible in the ongoing iOS 26 beta, there is optimism that they will be part of the public release or future updates. The rollout of natural language search could considerably improve the functionality of Apple Maps, while the thermal management feature addresses a crucial issue for users during navigation.