Skip to Content

Got a tip for us?Let us know

a. Send us an email
b. Anonymous form

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

Friday September 30, 2022 10:04 am PDT by Juli Clover

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.

Watch on YouTube

Listen to The MacRumors Show via apps like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, Castro, Google Podcasts, or subscribe by copying our RSS feed directly into your podcast player. You can also watch a video version of the podcast on our YouTube channel.

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.

Subscribe to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ for more episodes, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by exciting guests like Luke Miani, Sam Kohl, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, iJustine, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, Jon Rettinger, Rene Ritchie, Andru Edwards, Jon Prosser, and Mark Gurman. Remember to rate and review the show, and let us know what subjects you would like the podcast to cover in the future.

Tag: The MacRumors Show

Popular Stories

TMRS 113 Is Apples HomeView Worth the Wait Thumb

The MacRumors Show: Was HomeView Worth the Wait?

Friday October 16, 2026 9:12 am PDT by Hartley Charlton

Apple this week finally announced the HomePod mini 2, a new Apple TV 4K, and its "HomeView" smart home hub. On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we talk through our reactions to the announcements. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos Apple's HomeView costs $299 and combines a 7-inch square display with Siri AI, FaceTime, music playback, and smart home...

• 96 comments

TMRS 213 Welcome Home Event Thumb

The MacRumors Show: Apple's Smart Home Products Are Coming

Friday October 9, 2026 8:36 am PDT by Hartley Charlton

On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we look ahead to Apple's recently announced October 13 event and its expected push into the smart home market, including a dedicated home hub, the HomePod mini 2, and a new Apple TV. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos Apple is expected to introduce its first smart home hub, a new HomePod mini, and an updated Apple TV...

• 12 comments

TMRS 114 iPhone Duo and Pro and Tell

The MacRumors Show: iPhone Duo Arrives, Touchscreen MacBooks Next

Friday October 23, 2026 8:48 am PDT by Hartley Charlton

On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we talk through the reception to the iPhone Duo as it goes on sale today, what to expect from next week's "Pro and tell" experience, and the iPod's 25th anniversary. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos The iPhone Duo launches today, starting at $1,999, with a 5.4-inch outer display that unfolds into a 7.6-inch inner...

• 12 comments

Top Rated Comments

53 months ago

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.

Attachment Image

Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

53 months ago

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.

Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

53 months ago

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.

Attachment Image

Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

53 months ago

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

Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

53 months ago

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.

Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

53 months ago

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.

Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Read All Comments

Latest Stories

Apple's HomeView Ships With Six-Month-Old Software

Three New iPads Rumored to Launch in First Half of 2027

Apple Offers Steps to Fix Daylight Saving Time Bug on Apple Watch

Apple Watch Ultra 4 Hits All-Time Low Price With Amazon's $99 Discount

Reminder: Apple's Big Discount on Beats 360 Ear Cushions Ends Today

Here's a New Tour of Apple's HomeView Software

Apple Reveals New iPad Mini's Battery Capacity

Top Stories: Apple's Big MacBook Pro, iPad mini and iMac Updates

'Pluribus' Season 2 Reportedly Starts Production Today

iPhone 18 Pro Sales Surge in China, Offsetting Decline in U.S. and Japan

HomeView Software 27.2: Wallpapers, Control Center, and More

Apple Alerts Stores to iPhone Duo's Display Cracking Issue

iOS 27.3 Will Enable These Apple Intelligence Features in China

Apple Says iOS 27.3 Beta Coming Next Week

Apple's Flash Storage Suppliers Are Finally 'Getting Their Revenge'

14 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 27.2

iPhone Duo Review: One Week Later

Samsung Mocks iPhone Duo Display Cracks in New Ad Campaign

The MacRumors Show: OLED MacBook Pro, iPad Mini 8, and More

MacBook Pro With Touch Display: 15 More Details Revealed

Russia Places Apple on State Surveillance Registry

Halloween Weekend Brings Discounts on Apple Accessories and Pre-Orders

Apple Has Released More Than 25 New Products in the Past Two Months

Local Code Launches as Free, Private AI Assistant Tool for Mac

Apple Acquires Ascend.io

HomePod Mini 2 Launches Today: All the New Features

AirTag 2 4-Pack Drops to New Low Price of $69.99

Rian Johnson's iPhone Camera App Goes Viral

Where Did All the iPhone Duos Go? Mostly to Apple's Stores

Apple's Touchscreen MacBook Pro Could Ship 1.5M Units in 2027

🔗 Related Apple News & Rumors

Stay updated with the latest Apple ecosystem news and verified rumors