Lawsuit over Apple Watch’s heart-tracking tech has been settled

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Apple Watch Series 4 redesigned heart-rate monitor
Apple Watch's heart rate-tracking abilities is a major selling point for the device.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

A three year battle over Apple Watch technology has been resolved with Apple and biometric sensor company Valencell reportedly coming to terms over a dispute.

Valencell sued Apple back in 2016 over the heart rate-sensing technology in the Apple Watch, which has gone on to become one of the device’s big selling points. The company claimed that Apple met with its executives prior to launching the Apple Watch, but ultimately failed to reach an agreement.

Apple has been interested in heart rate tracking technology for a number of years. Back in 2010, the company filed a patent capable of turning your iPhone into a programmable heart rate monitor by embedding a series of electrodes into the iPhone’s shell.

However, Valencell claimed that Apple had been using its technology unlawfully in the Apple Watch. Among the claims is that Apple solicited information from the company, but had no actual intention of licensing the technology.

On its website, Valencell claims that it, “has the most accurate biometric sensors for wearable technology that continuously measures heart rate and activity in virtually any form-factor.”

Valencell went on to file a patent infringement lawsuit against Apple in January 2016 at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

No details about the settlement reached have been shared. However, a statement from the company to the website The5krunner notes that: “Valencell’s case against Apple has now been settled and neither is able to further comment. So you will have to draw your own conclusions.”

A similar lawsuit was filed by Valencell around the same time as its case against Apple. This lawsuit is said to be ongoing.

Source: The5krunner

Via: MacRumors

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