Core Insights - Apple Inc. has announced the restoration of the blood oxygen tracking feature on the Apple Watch in the U.S. market following a settlement with Masimo Corp. regarding a long-standing legal dispute [1] - The blood oxygen feature was previously removed due to patent litigation and a U.S. Customs order, effective from the end of 2023 [1] - The restoration will be implemented through updates to iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1, with adjustments made to how the feature operates [1] Feature Details - The blood oxygen data will no longer be displayed directly on the Apple Watch but will be transmitted to the paired iPhone for processing [1] - Users can view the results in the "Breathing" section of the "Health" app on their iPhone [1] - The update applies to U.S. users of Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 that had the blood oxygen feature disabled [1] Exclusions - Apple Watches that already had the blood oxygen feature or were purchased outside the U.S. will not be affected by this update [1]

Core Viewpoint - Apple has officially stopped signing verification for iOS 18.6.1 and earlier versions, preventing users from downgrading to previous system versions after upgrading to iOS 18.6.2 [1] Group 1: System Update Policy - Users who have upgraded to iOS 18.6.2 cannot restore to older firmware through iTunes or Finder due to the closure of the system verification channel [1] - Even attempts to downgrade using third-party tools will fail as devices cannot be activated without verification from Apple servers [1] Group 2: Controversy and Comparison - Apple's forced update strategy has sparked controversy, with supporters arguing it enhances overall security and reduces risks from malware, while critics claim it limits user choice, particularly affecting developers and users with specific needs [1] - In contrast to Apple, Google allows users to downgrade to custom ROMs despite also pushing security updates through mechanisms like Project Mainline, highlighting a fundamental difference in security philosophy and user freedom between the two mobile operating systems [1]

Software Update - Apple released iOS 18.6.1 for iPhones [1] - The article discusses whether users should upgrade to the new software [1] Security - The update likely addresses security vulnerabilities [1] Recommendation - The article provides guidance on whether or not to install the update [1]

Software Updates - Apple releases a surprise iPhone update, iOS 18.6.1, indicating a key upgrade [1]

Software Updates - Apple releases surprise iPhone update iOS 18.6.1 with key upgrade [1]