AirPods Max 2 bring AI live translation and stronger ANC at $549

Apple unveils the AirPods Max 2 starting at $549, boosting ANC by about 1.5x over the first-gen model and adding AI-powered real-time live translation. The over-ear headphones include conversation awareness, voice isolation for calls, automatic loud-sound reduction, and USB-C with 24-bit/48kHz lossless audio for up to 20 hours of playback. A camera remote via the digital crown, personalized volume tuning, and Siri via head gestures are also included, with colors in blue, black, purple, beige, and orange; preorder starts March 25 and shipping begins early next month.