In this week's "Sunday Reboot," AirPods Max 2 stretches the definition of the spec-bump update, the MotionVFX acquisition could benefit Creator Studio, and even more Apple celebrations.

Sunday Reboot is a weekly column covering some of the lighter stories within the Apple reality distortion field from the past seven days. All to get the next week underway with a good first step.

This week, Apple lost in court but avoided another Apple Watch ban over blood oxygen patents, was dragged into a legal fight over AI data sourcing, and it came under fire for blocking some vibe coding apps in iOS.

Apple Creator Studio could get a MotionVFX boost

Video producers were surprised on March 16 by the announcement that Apple had acquired MotionVFX. It's an outfit that sells access to transitions and effects usable in various video production tools, including Final Cut Pro and others.

On the face of it, the acquisition is one of mutual understanding. MotionVFX makes stuff that can be used by Final Cut Pro users, and Apple has an ample supply of them to funnel in that direction.

As our William Gallagher pointed out on Monday, this is a tie-up that makes considerable sense, especially since MotionVFX is intended to work within the Final Cut Pro app instead of being a separate app. It's actually a much more useful tool than Motion 5, Apple's own app.

While there is the immediate suspicion that Apple will simply roll up MotionVFX as part of its existing Apple Creator Studio subscription as more premium content, there's no guarantee of that happening. Especially at the expense of everyone else who counts as a MotionVFX user.

Bearded man in ski gear and reflective goggles against blue sky, with a computer cursor and small editing markers visible on his face and jacket

Motion VFX can be used for subtle edits, including for people with epic beards - Image Credit: MotionVFX

MotionVFX costs $30 per month, much more than the Creator Studio's monthly fee. It's probable that there will be some crossover, giving Creator Studio subscribers more to play with.

But it probably won't be an exclusive feature. MotionVFX's subscribers also use other platforms, such as DaVinci Resolve, and exclusivity would cut off access to the transitions for this base of user.

Mercifully, it seems that Apple has realized that, as it has not just closed the company and absorbed the staff into its development mass. At least, not just yet.

The MotionVFX subscription is still available to all at the time of reporting. At least, Apple thinks picking up that collection of subscriptions for other platform usage is worthwhile for the moment.

Exclusivity may be on the table in the future when Apple gets MotionVFX working on Final Cut Pro on the iPad. But for now, it's business as usual for VFX artists.

AirPods Max 2: a "Spec Bump Update" too far

Apple's upgrades are known for going down one of two routes. They're either a big redesign that introduces some crucial, much-needed changes to the form, or they're a spec-bump update.

This year, it seems Apple is stretching the meaning of "Upgrade" when it comes to the latter.

We've already had the odd refresh of the Apple Studio Display, which got a faster chip for some reason, but this week saw the introduction of something that's arguably even less of an upgrade.

The AirPods Max 2 were brought out via a press release as being "better than ever," in Apple's words. That was justified by the change in the processor running the show from the H1 to the H2.

Two pairs of over ear wireless headphones, one light blue and one dark gray, standing upright on a white surface with a blurred brick wall background

These are both first-gen AirPods Max, though you'd be forgiven for thinking one was the Max 2.

This was apparently a big deal because it had 1.5x more effective ANC than the previous model. Transparency also benefits from new algorithms, while a new high dynamic range amplifier booted the already decent sound to a new higher gear.

There were also a bunch more changes, like Conversation Awareness, Live Translation, and using it as the most expensive iPhone camera remote that you'll ever own.

The problem here is that, while handy, it doesn't really progress the AirPods Max that much further compared to the first model. The minor refresh in 2024 had more of an external change because Apple brought out new colors and replaced Lightning with USB-C.

Here, it's classifiable as a spec-bump update under the grand scheme of Apple's changes. There are improvements, but for a five-year-old piece of kit, a bigger change wouldn't have hurt at all.

It's a refresh that truly stretches what can be considered acceptable for a spec-bump update.

More Apple performances: China and South Korea

Apple's 50th anniversary world tour of public events has continued, with a whistle-stop tour of Asia.

The whole Alicia Keys at Apple Grand Central performance was a precursor to a whole season of performances, all held at Apple Store locations around the world. Continuing the trend were a pair of events in China and South Korea.

For Western China, the visit had CEO Tim Cook pose for the iPhones and local media at the Apple Chengdu Taikoo Listore. Fans of the company were enamored by Cook's appearance, as well as a concert by Chris Lee, known as Li Yuchun.

Lee performed on a special multilevel stage outside the store, which had elevating platforms and a dozen dancers, too.

Not to be outdone, South Korea put up the Pod-Signal for its own celebrations. Except it was far less of a spectacle than what happened in China.

The boy band Cortis had a brief performance with fans at Apple Myeongdong. It wasn't a full-blown concert, however, as it was really a Today at Apple talk.

That's right, the band talked about their debut album, the creative process, and how Apple products came into play.

The toned-down event was still extremely popular, with fans quickly booking out the free session, and making it a standing-room-only event.

Personally, I like the idea of the Cortis session over the decidedly concert-like performances. It's not often that you can have musical artists talking about their craft at length, even if there's a bit of corporate shoe-horning at play.

With one major performance last week and multiple events this week, it doesn't seem like Apple will be holding back from marking its 50th year with its retail-based entertainment plans.

When it comes to the future celebrations, France will be holding four events across two days in the week ahead. At the Apple Store on Paris' Champs-Elysees on March 25 and March 26, there will be Today at Apple events involving graphic artist So Me being interviewed about his music and visual arts projects.

There'll also be interviews with producer and musician Boombass, as well as sessions on 90's style electronic dance music and a fictional radio station.

Here's hoping that the UK one happens in Cardiff. It won't, because London exists, but I could dream...

Last week's Sunday Reboot covered Apple's Alicia Keys concert, its TikTok greatness, and how Apple Vision Pro users really should listen to flight attendants.