# Did Anything Change with AirPods Max 2?

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/waveform-the-mkbhd-podcast/did-anything-change-with-airpods-max-2
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/waveform-the-mkbhd-podcast/did-anything-change-with-airpods-max-2.md
Podcast: [Waveform: The MKBHD Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/waveform-the-mkbhd-podcast)
Published: 2026-03-20T08:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/pscrb.fm/rss/p/mgln.ai/e/257/traffic.megaphone.fm/VMP1152048912.mp3?updated=1773974934
Audio file: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/pscrb.fm/rss/p/mgln.ai/e/257/traffic.megaphone.fm/VMP1152048912.mp3?updated=1773974934
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/waveform-the-mkbhd-podcast/episodes/did-anything-change-with-airpods-max-2
Duration seconds: 5361

## Resource

The hosts analyze the hardware trade-offs in the new Nothing Phone (2a) series and the implications of Apple's recent software acquisitions. The discussion also covers NVIDIA's AI-centric GTC conference and the shifting landscape of Google's fiber business.

## Highlights
- Main idea: The Nothing Phone (2a) Pro offers a premium metal build at the cost of wireless charging capabilities
- Practical takeaway: When evaluating mid-range hardware, high-end specs like RAM and screen quality can compensate for the lack of wireless charging
- Failure mode: Relying on marketing briefs can lead to a disconnect between technical reality and consumer-facing jargon
- Main idea: NVIDIA's GTC focus has shifted heavily toward AI infrastructure and software rather than just consumer graphics cards
- Trend observation: Large tech companies like Google are increasingly divesting from infrastructure-heavy businesses like fiber to private equity

## Topics

Nothing Phone, Apple, NVIDIA, Google Fiber, AI, Smartphone Hardware, Tech Acquisitions, MotionVFX

## Chapters
- 1:00 — Modular Hardware Nostalgia: A look back at the era of highly modular, customizable peripherals like the Mad Catz Cyborg Rat.
- 7:35 — UI and Playback Frustrations: Discussing unexpected limitations in video playback speed and brightness controls on modern projectors.
- 14:25 — Tesla and Cybercab Rumors: Reflecting on recent Tesla activations and the visibility of the Cybercab prototype.
- 21:15 — The Marketing vs. Engineering Gap: The difficulty of communicating technical product truths through corporate marketing channels.
- 42:05 — Nothing Phone (2a) Pro Review: An initial hands-on look at the Nothing Phone (2a) Pro, focusing on its metal unibody and premium feel.
- 1:02:10 — Apple's MotionVFX Acquisition: Analyzing the impact of Apple buying MotionVFX and what it means for professional video workflows.
- 1:09:15 — NVIDIA GTC and AI Trends: A breakdown of NVIDIA's recent announcements focusing on AI advancements over traditional GPU hardware.

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## Transcript

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