Kelsey Fogarty's 5 favourite issues of 2025

2025’s closing chapter is rapidly coming to an in depth. From iPhone and Kindle releases to half-marathon coaching that featured all of the songs that constructed (or sabotaged) my Spotify Wrapped, the yr flew by in a wind crammed with tech and successes that had me counting all of the instances I would underestimated myself.

From Milan to LA, I’ve had the pleasure of reporting on all issues fashionable tech from my laptop computer to yours. Whereas 5 objects is not practically sufficient to embody all of the issues I would label my ‘favourite’ from this yr, listed here are the highest contenders which may simply as simply be by yourself listing.

The Kindle Scribe

Destroyer of my doubts

Let’s begin with the machine I haven’t been in a position to shut up about: the Kindle Scribe. Earlier this yr, I obtained a first-generation Scribe and was initially… reluctant. I would been a pen-and-paper particular person my whole life and was sure a pill and stylus might by no means exchange that tangibility, irrespective of how lovely an E Ink show was. However as somebody who writes about Kindle e-readers for a residing, I owed it to myself (and also you, expensive reader) to present it a whirl.

In opposition to all my suspicions, the Kindle Scribe folded itself into my workflow virtually seamlessly. It changed the stack of disorganized notebooks on my desk, and the paper agenda beside me hasn’t seen a brand new date since late October. The one stationery I nonetheless use is the large wall calendar in my residence — largely as a result of it doubles as décor.

Decision: 300 ppi
Storage: 32 GB
Display Measurement: 10.2 inches
Battery: 12 weeks

The Gorge

On Apple TV

Starring Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Pleasure, this Apple TV authentic is the epitome of my personally excellent film: a forbidden romance between two harmful special-forces troopers who should navigate thriller, sci-fi twists, and hundred-year conspiracies on the danger of each their lives. Add in a number of nods to WWII and an absolute killer soundtrack? No surprise I’ve watched it 5 instances this yr.

Apart from the forbidden romance trope, The Gorge delivers a relationship dynamic that is memorable, distinctive, and alarmingly enjoyable even in what looks like essentially the most dire conditions. Each actors snuck in delicate tributes to earlier motion pictures and reveals — The Queen’s Gambit for Taylor-Pleasure and Whiplash for Teller.

It is a thriller, a sci-fi story, an motion movie, and a romance rolled into one, and it needs to be the very first thing in your watchlist for 2026.

The Gorge

Launch Date: February 28, 2025
Runtime: 127 Minutes

Strava

Ran my first half-marathon

2025 was the yr I bought (considerably) significantly into operating. I’ve really hated it for almost all of my life, and any previous model of myself could be shocked to listen to I get up at 5AM each Thursday to attend a social run membership — by selection.

As a result of it grew to become a social exercise for me, I used to be peer pressured into downloading Strava. Effectively, I used to be admittedly experiencing a bit FOMO whereas I noticed my fellow runners evaluating splits and speeds whereas my Oura ring could not inform me squat in regards to the high quality of my run. Energy burned? Examine. Proof of me combating for my life on a bunny hill? Nope.

Strava made operating enjoyable for the primary time. Getting two or three Kudos on the exercise tracker meant greater than a number of hundred on Instagram, and I in all probability take a look at my very own Strava profile greater than I do my actual social media. It is my app of the yr, and it paperwork each ounce of effort I put into my first half-marathon, which I completed in two hours.

Developer: Strava Inc.
Subscription price: Free, $11.99/month or $79.99/yr for particular person plan, $139.99/yr for a household plan with 4 accounts

Powerbeats Professional 2 and Powerbeats Match

From the East to the West coast

Again in September, I had a neat alternative to go to Apple Music Studios in Culver Metropolis for the Powerbeats Match debut. The audio firm hosted #FindYourFitWithBeats, an occasion devoted to showcasing the reimagined fitness-focused buds in addition to the expertise inside that made them worthy of the “Powerbeats” identify premium.

I wore the brand new pink buds for the remainder of my California night and all the way in which again to the East Coast. The Powerbeats Match now stay in my gymnasium bag for weight-lifting periods, whereas the Powerbeats Professional 2 sit beside my HoneyStinger gels ready for my subsequent future.

Past the match and sound, the colours are my favourite half. I’ve by no means joined the AirPods bandwagon, despite the fact that I am fortunately trapped in Apple’s walled backyard, due to the shortage of coloration selection. Headphones are a press release, and I like mine shiny and completely satisfied.

Battery Life

As much as 30 hours with charging case

Charging Case Included?

Sure

Microphones

6

Model

Beats

Bluetooth

Sure

Value

$200

The Powerbeats Match wi-fi earbuds are the primary of the Powerbeats namesake to forgo an earhook for an in-ear wingtip. The buds boast improved sturdiness, all-day consolation, Lively Noise Cancelling (ANC) and Transparency Mode, as much as 30 hours of battery life, and extra.
Battery Life

45 hours

Charging Case Included?

Sure

Microphones

6

Model

Beats

Bluetooth

Bluetooth 5.3

Value

$250

Beats’ Powerbeats Professional 2 are the newest athletic earbuds from the Apple-owned firm. That includes Lively Noise Cancellation (ANC), Transparency mode, Adaptive EQ, and wi-fi charging, Powerbeats Professional 2 are 22% lighter and provide a 45-hour battery life.

Okay-Pop Demon Hunters

Match verify for my napalm period

Arcane was my media of the yr in 2024, so it feels becoming that one other Netflix animated authentic beat it out this yr. Okay-Pop Demon Hunters dominated my 2025 Spotify Wrapped, infiltrated karaoke nights with my pals, and was the one factor sturdy sufficient to tear my hyperfixation away from Twenty One Pilots’ efficiency of The Line at The Recreation Awards final yr.

The film blew up throughout social media and popular culture — children and adults loved it alike and all packed into theaters for a sing-along launch. Golden, one of the well-liked songs from the film, might even snag a “Finest Authentic Tune” Oscar nomination. Nevertheless, it’s going to in all probability be up towards different sturdy contenders, like Lose my Thoughts from F1: The Film and Dying to Dwell from Billy Idol Ought to Be Lifeless.

I am unable to pull any strings, but when HUNTR/X would not take residence that golden statuette, there could also be a riot in my future.