Apple on March 16 unveiled the second generation of its premium AirPods Max over-ear headphones at US$549, more than five years after the first version’s launch.

The update marks Apple’s first major refresh of the over-ear headphones since their 2020 debut, as the company adds new features and improved noise cancellation to compete more aggressively in the premium headphones market.

Currently, the segment is largely dominated by Japan’s Sony Group, Bose and Sennheiser.

Powered by Apple’s in-house H2 chip, which runs the latest range of AirPods devices, the new headphones will be available to order from March 25 in more than 30 countries, including Singapore, with retail availability beginning early April, the company said.

In Singapore, the headphones will retail for $749.

Upgrades to the AirPods Max 2 include better active noise cancellation, an improved microphone system and a range of new features including Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness and Live Translation.

Live Translation, first introduced on the AirPods Pro 3 in September, enables users to translate in-person conversations across languages using Apple Intelligence, the company’s artificial intelligence platform.

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AirPods Max 2 also supports high-resolution lossless audio when connected via USB-C, targeting music creators and professional users who require higher fidelity audio, Apple said. REUTERS

US President Donald Trump has long used last-minute switches on foreign travel and meetings with heads of state as yet another leverage tool as he seeks a diplomatic upper hand and keep foreign partners on their toes. 

Mr Trump’s request this week to delay a planned trip to China initially set for March 31 to April 2 is the latest example in a pattern of postponing or calling off high-profile meetings that he decides does not suit his interests. 

Throughout his first and second terms, he has enjoyed keeping allies and adversaries guessing about his travel plans. A few times, he has changed his mind about his schedule in real time, often in an effort to display power, send a message to foreign capitals or to avoid embarrassment.