Best of 2025

As we approach the end of 2025, it’s time to take stock of the things that made us smile over the past 12 months.

From binge-worthy Apple TV shows and must-have Mac apps to drool-worthy Apple setups that should provide inspiration for 2026, this weekend’s featured stories show off the best of the best.

Also in this edition of The Weekender:

The folding iPhone that’s rumored to arrive in 2026 should elicit plenty of smiles, too. Here’s everything we know so far about Apple’s first foldable.
If you own an Apple TV, tweak these three hidden settings to significantly enhance your viewing experience.
Just how good is iPhone 17’s upgraded selfie cam? Good enough to justify the upgrade all by itself.
Cult of Mac Deals has some incredible year-end price drops on software, in case you’re plotting a productive 2026. (The hottest seller of the month is an app that lets you download videos from your favorite streaming services so you can watch them whenever and wherever you like.)

Enjoy your weekend!

— Lewis Wallace, managing editor

Featured stories

Why you should binge the 12 best Apple TV shows of 2025

The best Apple TV shows of 2025 cross multiple genres, with healthy doses of sci-fi, drama, comedy and thrills.

Top 10 Apple setups of 2025

Cult of Mac's top 10 Apple setups of 2025 excel in raw computing power, aesthetic beauty, functional innovation -- or all three.

5 Mac apps that turbocharged my 2025 workflow (and why you need them)

My favorite Mac apps of 2025 helped me get more done every single day, replaced multiple utilities, and made macOS feel faster and smarter.

How-tos

How to set up your new Mac like a pro

Every Mac today is a great buy. If you're one of the lucky people to get one this year, here’s how to set up your new Mac like a pro.

Plus, more setup guides:

Change these 3 hidden Apple TV settings and thank us later

Apple’s set-top box offers an excellent premium experience, but you’ll definitely want to change these three Apple TV settings immediately.

Update your HomePod smart speaker with the latest software

Version 26.2 is out, so it's time to check your HomePod Software update status. Here’s how to ensure your smart speaker is up to date.

Convert your iPhone's Live Photos to video in seconds

It's easy to turn Live Photos into one continuous video that you can save and share to social media, right from the Photos app.

A message from Masterworks

Investors see ANOTHER return on Masterworks (!!!)

That’s 3 sales this quarter. 26 sales total.

And the performance?

14.6%, 17.6%, and 17.8% → The three most representative annualized net returns.
(See all 26 at Masterworks.com)

Masterworks is the biggest platform for investing in an asset class that hasn’t moved in lockstep with the S&P 500 since ‘95.

In fact, the market segment they target outpaced the S&P overall in that time frame.*

Not private equity or real estate… It’s contemporary and post war art. Crazy, right?

Masterworks investors are typically high net worth, but the point is that you don’t need to be a capital-B BILLIONAIRE to invest in high-caliber art anymore.

Banksy. Basquiat. Picasso and more.

80+ of the world’s most attractive artists have been featured.

511+ artworks offered
$67.5mm paid out as of December 2025
$2.3mm+ average offering size

Looking to update your investment portfolio before 2026?

[Click here to skip the waitlist]

_{*Masterworks data. Investing involves risk. Past performance not indicative of future returns. Reg A disclosures at}_{masterworks.com/cd}

News

Folding iPhone: What to expect in 2026

Get ready for the folding iPhone in 2026. Get the latest rumors on screen sizes, cameras and more as Apple reinvents the iPhone.

This one feature justifies buying an iPhone 17

The iPhone 17 Center Stage selfie camera improves your video calling experience significantly. Trust me: You need this.

Remembering Apple pioneers: In memoriam 2025

Our Apple in memoriam 2025 feature honors figures associated with the company -- Bill Atkinson, Michael Scott, Steve Hayden and Jane Goodall.

iOS 26.3 will give third-party earbuds a taste of Apple’s pairing magic

iOS 26.3 takes another step toward opening Apple’s ecosystem, making it easier for third-party earbuds and wearables to work seamlessly with the iPhone.