Kelsey Fogarty’s 5 favorite things of 2025

• The Kindle Scribe
• The Gorge
• Strava
• Powerbeats Pro 2 and Powerbeats Fit
• K-Pop Demon Hunters

2025’s final chapter is quickly coming to a close. From iPhone and Kindle releases to half-marathon training that featured all the songs that built (or sabotaged) my Spotify Wrapped, the year flew by in a wind filled with tech and successes that had me counting all the times I’d underestimated myself.

From Milan to LA, I’ve had the pleasure of reporting on all things trendy tech from my laptop to yours. While five items isn’t nearly enough to encompass all the things I’d label my ‘favorite’ from this year, here are the top contenders that might just as easily be on your own list.

The Kindle Scribe

Destroyer of my doubts

Let’s start with the device I haven’t been able to shut up about: the Kindle Scribe. Earlier this year, I received a first-generation Scribe and was initially… reluctant. I’d been a pen-and-paper person my entire life and was certain a tablet and stylus could never replace that tangibility, no matter how beautiful an E Ink display was. But as someone who writes about Kindle e-readers for a living, I owed it to myself (and you, dear reader) to give it a whirl.

Against all my suspicions, the Kindle Scribe folded itself into my workflow almost seamlessly. It replaced the stack of disorganized notebooks on my desk, and the paper agenda beside me hasn’t seen a new date since late October. The only stationery I still use is the giant wall calendar in my apartment — mostly because it doubles as décor.

The Gorge

On Apple TV

Starring Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy, this Apple TV original is the epitome of my personally perfect movie: a forbidden romance between two dangerous special-forces soldiers who must navigate mystery, sci-fi twists, and hundred-year conspiracies at the risk of both their lives. Add in a few nods to WWII and an absolute killer soundtrack? No wonder I’ve watched it five times this year.

Besides the forbidden romance trope, The Gorge delivers a relationship dynamic that’s memorable, unique, and alarmingly fun even in what feels like the most dire situations. Both actors snuck in subtle tributes to previous movies and shows — The Queen’s Gambit for Taylor-Joy and Whiplash for Teller.

It’s a thriller, a sci-fi story, an action film, and a romance rolled into one, and it should be the first thing on your watchlist for 2026.

Strava

Ran my first half-marathon

2025 was the year I got (somewhat) seriously into running. I’ve actually hated it for the majority of my life, and any past version of myself would be shocked to hear I wake up at 5AM every Thursday to attend a social run club — by choice.

Because it became a social activity for me, I was peer pressured into downloading Strava. Well, I was admittedly experiencing a little FOMO while I saw my fellow runners comparing splits and speeds while my Oura ring couldn’t tell me squat about the quality of my run. Calories burned? Check. Evidence of me fighting for my life on a bunny hill? Nope.

Strava made running fun for the first time. Getting two or three Kudos on the activity tracker meant more than several hundred on Instagram, and I probably check out my own Strava profile more than I do my real social media. It’s my app of the year, and it documents every ounce of effort I put into my first half-marathon, which I finished in two hours.

Powerbeats Pro 2 and Powerbeats Fit

From the East to the West coast

Back in September, I had a neat opportunity to visit Apple Music Studios in Culver City for the Powerbeats Fit debut. The audio company hosted #FindYourFitWithBeats, an event dedicated to showcasing the reimagined fitness-focused buds as well as the technology inside that made them worthy of the “Powerbeats” name premium.

I wore the new pink buds for the rest of my California evening and all the way back to the East Coast. The Powerbeats Fit now live in my gym bag for weight-lifting sessions, while the Powerbeats Pro 2 sit beside my HoneyStinger gels waiting for my next long run.

Beyond the fit and sound, the colors are my favorite part. I’ve never joined the AirPods bandwagon, even though I’m happily trapped in Apple’s walled garden, because of the lack of color choice. Headphones are a statement, and I like mine bright and happy.

• 

  Battery Life

  Up to 30 hours with charging case

  Charging Case Included?

  Yes

  Microphones

  6

  Brand

  Beats

  Bluetooth

  Yes

  Price

  $200

  The Powerbeats Fit wireless earbuds are the first of the Powerbeats namesake to forgo an earhook for an in-ear wingtip. The buds boast improved durability, all-day comfort, Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) and Transparency Mode, up to 30 hours of battery life, and more.

• 

  Battery Life

  45 hours

  Charging Case Included?

  Yes

  Microphones

  6

  Brand

  Beats

  Bluetooth

  Bluetooth 5.3

  Price

  $250

  Beats’ Powerbeats Pro 2 are the latest athletic earbuds from the Apple-owned company. Featuring  Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), Transparency mode, Adaptive EQ, and wireless charging, Powerbeats Pro 2 are 22% lighter and offer a 45-hour battery life.

K-Pop Demon Hunters

Fit check for my napalm era

Arcane was my media of the year in 2024, so it feels fitting that another Netflix animated original beat it out this year. K-Pop Demon Hunters dominated my 2025 Spotify Wrapped, infiltrated karaoke nights with my friends, and was the only thing strong enough to tear my hyperfixation away from Twenty One Pilots’ performance of The Line at The Game Awards last year.

The movie blew up across social media and pop culture — kids and adults enjoyed it alike and all packed into theaters for a sing-along release. Golden, one of the most popular songs from the movie, could even snag a “Best Original Song” Oscar nomination. However, it’ll probably be up against other strong contenders, like Lose my Mind from F1: The Movie and Dying to Live from Billy Idol Should Be Dead.

I can’t pull any strings, but if HUNTR/X doesn’t take home that golden statuette, there may be a riot in my future.