Core Viewpoint - Whirlpool has requested a U.S. trade agency to prohibit the import and sale of microwaves from South Korean and Chinese manufacturers, claiming that these companies have infringed on its patented technology [1] Group 1: Company Actions - Whirlpool is taking legal action to protect its intellectual property by seeking a ban on imports from competitors [1] - The company alleges that rival manufacturers have copied its patented technology for an extended period [1] Group 2: Industry Implications - This move by Whirlpool highlights the ongoing competition and patent disputes within the microwave manufacturing industry [1] - The request for a trade agency intervention indicates a potential escalation in trade tensions between U.S. companies and foreign manufacturers [1]

Core Insights - Apple is enhancing its smartwatch models with a redesigned blood oxygen sensing feature after a prolonged patent dispute [3][4] - The update will be available through software updates for Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 Apple Watch models [3] - The feature was previously sidelined due to a patent feud with health company Masimo, which claimed ownership of the technology [4][5] Group 1: Patent Dispute - A recent ruling by US Customs has allowed Apple to reintroduce the blood oxygen sensing feature [4] - The patent dispute led to a temporary halt in US sales of the latest smartwatch models last January [4][5] - Masimo filed a complaint with the US International Trade Commission (ITC), which initially halted imports of the affected Apple Watch models [4][5] Group 2: Health Features - Apple promotes various health and fitness features in its smartwatches, including irregular heartbeat detection, fall detection, sleep apnea monitoring, and harmful noise level alerts [6]