The MacRumors Show: A Week With the AirPods Pro 2 and Apple Watch Ultra

[MacRumors]

On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, MacRumors editor Hartley Charlton and videographer Dan Barbera talk in depth about their experiences using the new Apple Watch Ultra and the AirPods Pro 2, both of which launched last week.

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If you missed the prior episode of The MacRumors Show, make sure to check it out for a discussion of the new iPhone 14 lineup with Sara Dietschy.

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Article Link: The MacRumors Show: A Week With the AirPods Pro 2 and Apple Watch Ultra

 

[Eldaerenth Faexidor]

I love the second generation AirPods Pro. Dolby Atmos is truly immersive.

 

[AppleTheorist]

Hey didn't know this was a thing! That's super cool, gotta listen to it later today!

 

[ghanwani]

That watch band looks cool.

 

[multicore]

Where are they seeing this charge info without opening the case?

 

[cocky jeremy]

Trying my best not to order the Apple Watch Ultra... 😁

 

[citysnaps]

Trying my best not to order the Apple Watch Ultra... 😁

Certainly is tempting!

 

[28Gauge]

Trying my best not to order the Apple Watch Ultra... 😁

I resisted as well. I returned my Apple Watch 8 and ordered an Ultra. Now for the 1 month wait!

 

[mactexas]

The Apple Watch Ultra has proved, for me, to be my favorite design of them all. From first generation to now. I have medium-size wrists and it is not too big at all. I preferred the Alpine Green band, but Best Buy had Ocean Midnight for next-day delivery, so opted for it. Turns out I like the band better.

The Ultra will be different for every user. My daughter thinks it is huge, I see it as just-right. Battery life is sick, the display is sick, the whole watch is sick. I am pleased. Quite frankly, best Apple Watch I have worn.

Note: I am seeing open-box Ultras showing up on Best Buy site for $60+ off. I checked every day and found an open box and the new one, which I purchased. Quite a few knock-off bands on Amazon for under $20, many which match Apple’s design and color options, giving the same look as Apple’s bands, without waiting for the right one to be in stock, or delivered.

 

[GuruZac]

Loving it. No regrets, just a fantastic device.

 

[KennyJr]

To add further to the adaptive transparency discussion .. As I've aged I've found it harder to hear conversation in noisy restaurants. After reading up on AirPods Pro transparency I learned that, with my AirPods Pro 2 connected, If I go to 'Accessibility' > Audio/Visual > Headphone Accommodations > Transparency Mode > 'Custom Transparency Mode On', I then get slider control of transparency mode 'Amplification'; 'Transparency Balance'; 'Tone' slider from darker to brighter; 'Ambient Noise Reduction' slider; and then a toggle for 'Conversation Boost'.

Last night at a noisy restaurant, I made sure 'Conversation Boost' was on and that "Ambient Noise Reduction was fully up. It works. As long as I was facing my brother when he was talking he came in loud and clear while at the same time it didn't sound so noisy in there. And, as an aside, according to my brother, I wasn't talking so loud this time.

I've used Apple's 'Live Listen' but the problem with it and over the counter hearing aids is ALL sounds get amplified. With the AirPods Pro we get selective amplification - like with those very expensive hearing aids.

Lastly .. I've typed this up because because I found that searching for this information on my own, even knowing specifically what I was looking for, took a LOT of effort.

 

[Green242]

To add further to the adaptive transparency discussion .. As I've aged I've found it harder to hear conversation in noisy restaurants. After reading up on AirPods Pro transparency I learned that, with my AirPods Pro 2 connected, If I go to 'Accessibility' > Audio/Visual > Headphone Accommodations > Transparency Mode > 'Custom Transparency Mode On', I then get slider control of transparency mode 'Amplification'; 'Transparency Balance'; 'Tone' slider from darker to brighter; 'Ambient Noise Reduction' slider; and then a toggle for 'Conversation Boost'.

Last night at a noisy restaurant, I made sure 'Conversation Boost' was on and that "Ambient Noise Reduction was fully up. It works. As long as I was facing my brother when he was talking he came in loud and clear while at the same time it didn't sound so noisy in there. And, as an aside, according to my brother, I wasn't talking so loud this time.

I've used Apple's 'Live Listen' but the problem with it and over the counter hearing aids is ALL sounds get amplified. With the AirPods Pro we get selective amplification - like with those very expensive hearing aids.

Lastly .. I've typed this up because because I found that searching for this information on my own, even knowing specifically what I was looking for, took a LOT of effort.

Another thing you can do to help adjust the sound is to download the Mimi app https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mimi-hearing-test/id932496645 which creates an audiogram and puts it in the health app and is used in the setting listed above. It is like an an equalizer to adjust the frequencies to help compensate.

I bought a set to of AirPods Pro just to use the left side as hearing aid, and it works great in many sound environments. My Audiologist wanted me to spend 3 grand on a new aid. I was able to use the audiogram she created and my iPhone read it and programed the AirPods accordingly. I also tried the Mimi app and created a form of audiogram which programed both sides.

 

[Trev816]

Trying my best not to order the Apple Watch Ultra... 😁

I have had mine for a week now and love it.

I feel like Apple have finally made a watch. I will try and explain what I mean by that as I am not knocking the normal Apple Watch design.

Apple did a great job, like they always do design wise in making all of the Apple Watches from S1 to the S8. However, for me it wasn’t big enough compared to the watches I liked to wear and I wasn’t a huge fan of the rectangular profile when I tried it on, despite me not minding it when I saw others wearing it. I think for me, I like to see a bit of a body on the watch when looking at it and not just a face/screen and a bezel. I did end up getting the S7 45mm Titanium Edition but I still hoped that Apple would come out with a slightly bigger watch with a slightly different shape.

Essentially, I felt that until the Ultra, Apple did a great job of making a small screen that was functional and made that into a watch.

With the Ultra, I feel like they have slipped the Apple Watch into a proper Watch chassis. I now have a metal edge around the screen. I have a watch body that can be seen and the crown guard gives it a bit of extra shape. These little things, combined with a flat screen and a slight increase in size to me have given me a watch that I love the look of and make me feel like I am wearing a watch rather than just a screen on my wrist.

Everyone will have their own opinion on what sort of Watch they like/don’t like. However if you already really like the look of it in the photos/videos, in my opinion, it looks even better in real life.

 

[TLY]

As far as the Apple Watch Stainless Steel compare to Apple Watch Ultra. I think each their own. I think the Ultra looks better as it's more like a Panerai and bolder. I was for one that was in the market for an Apple Watch Stainless Steel because I really wanted the sapphire glass and went with the Ultra instead. It's just a much better deal with the brighter screen, titanium body and all the features and in my opinion looks better with the bolder crown, crown guard and flat design. I had the original AirPods Pro since it was released, but the battery has really degraded. I upgraded to the AirPods Pro 2nd generation and didn't expect much, but it's a pretty good upgrade.

 

[CheffyDude]

Fact: My Apple Watch Ultra is better than yours.
Fact: My iPhone 14 Pro Max took too long to ship.
Fact: Luke Miani has not produced a decent video in two years.

 

[npmacuser5]

Speaking of lanyard. Would be nice to have one on the iPhone. All good cameras have a lanyard attachment. I know one can get a loop on some cases. Not found one that easily attaches and removes. The example, original Apple TV remote lanyard attachment. A nice to have Apple.

 

[noblesoul117]

I decided to finally set up the custom, ear-matched Spatial Audio or whatever it’s called on my AirPods Pro 1.

I noticed an immediate change, and I’m not yet sure I like it. It seemed like sound came from “lower in my head,” as if the earbuds were somehow playing through my cheeks…

Will have to test it out more.

 

[HorstBockman]

Dear Dan,
Yes, use your brain... wear earplugs in loud environments. You'll still feel the beat. Your ears and the rest of your body can serve you well if you treat them with respect. 30 years from now may seem like an eternity, but those years will pass and you'll be much better off for taking care of yourself all along the way. In a pinch, makeshift earplugs can be fashioned from lightly moistened (think saliva) tissue and paper napkins.

 

[Julian88Tex]

You can "see" how things like Ambient Noise Reduction and Conversation Boost work in real-time with AirPods. With the most recent WatchOS update, they've added the ability to see dB levels experienced by users as influenced by AirPods. Works in all AirPods modes.

I always wear my AirPods for concerts and love them. You can set a focus mode so that only your concert friends or partner can contact you in case they need to message you during the concert and you'll be able to hear the message while still enjoying the show and not having to look down at your watch/phone.