Moana 2 Heihei Lego Figure (566 Pieces) $40 | Released March 1 See at Amazon See at Target See at Lego Store Lego's series of Moana 2 playsets has expanded with arguably the most exciting building set in the lineup. For $40, Disney fans can build a 10.5-inch model of Heihei, Moana's adorable companion from the films. As you'll see below, Heihei's brick-built form has retained the bewildered expression he is known for. Lego's Heihei building set hit store shelves on March 1; it's the third Moana 2 Lego set released this year. We've rounded up all of the Moana 2 Lego sets below. If you're interested in adding the new Disney film to your collection, check out our Moana 2 Blu-ray preorder guide. The sequel releases on 4K and standard Blu-ray on March 18, and the Limited Edition Steelbook is currently discounted at Amazon and Walmart.Continue Reading at GameSpot

The Thing: Remastered Deluxe Edition $50 | Releases June 25 Preorder at Amazon Preorder at Walmart Preorder at Target The Thing: Remastered $30 | Releases June 25 Preorder at Amazon Preorder at Walmart Preorder at Target After launching digitally at the end of 2024, The Thing: Remastered is getting a physical release for PS5 and Switch on June 25. The faithful and well-received restoration of the 2002 cult classic is available to preorder now at major retailers. The Thing: Remastered is following the growing trend among remasters and compilations by having two different editions. Fans can preorder the game on its own for $30 or opt for the $50 Deluxe Edition, which is bundled with a steelbook case and several other collectibles.The Thing: Remastered is a third-person survival shooter features 20 levels filled with monsters. Along with various quality-of-life improvements and new achievements, it benefits from enhanced textures and animations--PS5 owners can play in 4K resolution with up to 120fps.Other recent and upcoming games with similar physical offerings include Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered, Tomb Raider I-III Remastered, and Power Rangers: Rita's Rewind.Continue Reading at GameSpot

Merry Meadow is one of the locations that will not be readily available for you at the start of Hello Kitty Island Adventure. In order to unlock it, you'll need to complete several quests that only become available when you've raised your friendship with Pompompurin and My Melody. At the start of unlocking Merry Meadow in Island Adventure, you'll only have access to the Merry Meadows Fields. To reach the other four areas, you're going to need to grow special beanstalks from Giant Seeds.

Taking place during the long-awaited Nintendo Switch 2 reveal trailer, Mario Kart 9's teaser lasted for just 15 seconds, but that was more than enough time for Nintendo to hint at some bold new features potentially coming to the series. Based on the brief footage, it seems likely that Mario Kart 9 will introduce 24-player races, along with some wider tracks to accommodate the larger lobby.

Beware the Gypceros is one of the first High Rank side quests youll encounter once youve rolled credits in Monster Hunter Wilds. Not only does it task you with fighting a new monster that wasnt present in the lower ranks, but it asks you to interact with the games weather system.In this Monster Hunter Wilds guide, well walk you through how to start the Beware the Gypceros quest and how to find the Gypceros during Fallow.How to start Beware the Gypceros in Monster Hunter WildsOnce youve finished the main quest and entered High Rank, complete the first main story mission, New Ecosystems. This quest will set you on the path of High Rank, and also give Zatoh a quest for you. Travel to the Kunafa Windsong Village in the Windward Plains, where Zatoh resides, and talk to him (hell be marked on your map). Zatoh will tell you that theres an unfamiliar monster wandering around the Windward Plains that blinded some of the village workers with a bright flash. The villagers arent sure what kind of monster this could be, but the veteran Hunters out there know exactly what Zatoh is describing: Gypceros.The problem is that Gypceros only seems to come out during Fallow, which is the weather condition that causes resources to be more scarce. To hunt this Gypceros and save the village, youll need to wait until Fallow season in the Windward PlainsHow to find Gypceros in the Windward PlainsYou have a few options when it comes to finding Gypceros during Fallow season.First, you can check the Windward Plains map between hunts. Eventually, youll check at the perfect time and find a Gypceros walking around. All you need to do then is hunt it to finish the quest. This adds in an element of luck, but removes any need to care about the games weather system, so its a bit more straightforward especially when there are so many other High Rank side quests to do while you wait.Second, you can just change the weather more on that below in Windward Plains to be Fallow, which should spawn a Gypceros for you to hunt.How to change the weather to FallowTo change the weather to Fallow, head to one of your pop-up tents in the Windward Plains and open the menu that allows you to grill and eat a meal inside your tent. Instead of eating, scroll down the menu to rest. Select the rest option to pull up a menu that will let you change the environment condition and give you a time of day. Select whatever time of day you prefer, but make sure your selected environment says Fallow. Youll then need to pay 300 Guild Points to rest, but you should have plenty at this point plus youll earn 100 back when you complete this quest. When you wake up, it should be Fallow out, and youll be able to find and hunt your Gypceros. Once you reach the Gypceros in Windward Plain, just start attacking it in the wild and youll automatically begin a hunt for it.The Gypceros is a High Rank monster, so you should show it some respect. However, its less lethal and aggressive than many of the other monsters youve fought up to this point. If youd like to go in with counters, try using fire and slicing weapons. Make sure you have antidotes or other items that can heal poison as well.Zatoh location in Monster Hunter WildsWhen you finish hunting Gypceros in the Windward Plains if you kill one on another map it doesnt count for this quest return to Zatoh in Kunafa Windsong Village. Some players have complained that Zatoh isnt in Kunafa Windsong Village when they attempt to turn the quest in. The villagers seem to occasionally disappear from the village. (Its unclear exactly whats happening here, but it could be related to weather or the time of day.) If there are no villagers when you arrive, go rest again and set another time, or restart your game entirely. This should cause all the villagers to return.If you can see that Zatoh is in the village but you cant reach him because hes in a building, just stand nearby and wait for a few minutes. He will (very slowly) make his way out of the building eventually.When you complete Beware the Gypceros, youll earn 100 Guild Points, hunter rank and Palico experience, some Sharp Kunafa Cheese, three Carbalite Ore, and the ability to request material collections from Murtabak.Need help navigating the Forbidden Lands? OurMonster Hunter Wildsguides can outline your progress with ourmain story walkthroughandmonster listahead of reachingHigh Rank, help you settle on an armament with ourweapons listandbest weaponsexplainers, and teach you how to uncoverores,bones, and getmonster tails.

Fucium Ore is a High Rank material found in one of the final environments youll unlock in Monster Hunter Wilds. Youll need it for some crucial upgrades that will allow you to take on some of the most powerful monsters in the game.In this Monster Hunter Wilds guide, well walk you through how to get Fucium Ore and what kinds of items you might want to use it on.Where to mine Fucium Ore in Monster Hunter WildsOnce you unlock the High Rank version of the Ruins of Wyveria which you can do by progressing the post-credits questline in Monster Hunter Wilds youll be able to farm as much Fucium Ore as you want.Load into the Ruins of Wyveria and set a marker on one of the Mining Outcrops theres one just out of the base camp and to the left. Your mount should automatically take you to the ore.Mine the rock and youll have a chance to get Fucium Ore. While its pretty common, its still considered a rare ore, so not every Mining Outcrop is guaranteed to have it. Ride your mount from Mining Outcrop to Mining Outcrop until you eventually find some.If you exhaust all the Mining Outcrops in the Ruins of Wyveria and still need more Fucium Ore, wait for the Mining Outcrops to respawn, load into a new area and come back, or just restart your game. If youre looking for a specific amount of Fucium to build an upgrade (more on that below), try wishlisting the item so the game will tell you when youve gathered enough.What to use Fucium Ore for in Monster Hunter WildsFucium Ore is mostly used for upgrading non-monster weapons and crafting non-monster armor pieces. Some pieces in the decently powerful Ingot armor set, for example, require Fucium Ore. Similarly, you might need Fucium Ore to upgrade the metal or hope versions of certain weapons. Even if you never intend to use these weapons, you may want to build other weapons off of them. Because weapons in Monster Hunter Wilds upgrade based on a tree, you need the previous versions of weapons to upgrade them to their final forms. For example, you need to use Fucium Ore to craft the Metal Bagpipe 3 if you want to eventually craft the Jin Dhaang 1 Hunting Horn. Other weapons have similar upgrade pipelines that require Fucium Ore.Need help navigating the Forbidden Lands? OurMonster Hunter Wildsguides can outline your progress with ourmain story walkthroughandmonster listahead of reachingHigh Rank, help you settle on an armament with ourweapons listandbest weaponsexplainers, and teach you how to uncoverores,bones, and getmonster tails.

How do metaphors and analogies work, and what makes a good metaphor?Heres something that has always fascinated me: our understanding of the human body, particularly the brain and nervous system, has been profoundly shaped by the tools and technologies of each era. During the rise of mechanical craftsmanship, we began perceiving the body and brain as hydraulic systems (Descartes, 1600s) and intricate clockwork mechanisms of gears and springs (La Mettrie, 1700s). The industrial revolution brought new perspectives: the telegraph system with its information-carrying electrical wires transformed our view of the nervous system (Helmholtz, 1800s), while the steam engine, with its energy and pressure, became a model for understanding the brain (Freud, 1800s). Perhaps the most striking examples emerged in the 20th century with the rise of electronics and networks. The brain was first envisioned as a telephone exchange switchboard connecting signals (Sherrington, 1930s), and later conceptualized as a computer with input, output, processing and storage (Miller, Galanter & Pribram, 1960s). And this pattern continues: we now talk about the brain through comparisons to the internet and AI neural networks.Our bodies and brains are incredibly complex systems. To comprehend them, we naturally turn to what we already understandthe most sophisticated technologies of our timeand we do so through metaphors and analogies. As designers, we dedicate substantial time to crafting the perfect visual metaphors that make the novel and unexpected feel familiar and approachable. But how do metaphors and analogies work? And what makes a good metaphor?Why we love metaphorsAt its core, metaphors perform a simple yet profound function: they bridge the unfamiliar with the familiar. They connect what lies beyond our grasp to what we already know intimately. And what could be more intimate than our direct experience of the world? One of metaphors most powerful aspects is their ability to bring distant concepts within reach of our humanscale.Source: Eureka, Physics of Particles, Matter and theUniverseOur brains, shaped by millions of years of evolution, excel at perceiving and understanding the world at the scale of our bodies. Research has demonstrated that the further we go away from our human scale the less accurate our perception gets. From the microscopic scales of atoms and nano seconds to the macroscopic scales of galaxies and millions of years, everything outside of our human experience seems complex, abstract, ungraspable. In response, we instinctively map these complex and abstract concepts onto embodied experiences. We are able to think about how time passes via our implicit understanding of how we and other objects move through space. We are able to think about degree of familiarity and intimacy in relationships in terms of physical proximity. Metaphors translate abstract ideas into perceptions. They turn what we can think into what we canfeel.Paper, touch andparrotsLets look at a concrete example. How do you make a complex machine accessible to everyone? In computing, the answer has always been: find the right metaphor.In the early days, computers were complex calculators that only specialists could operate, with users submitting punch cards and waiting hours for results. The breakthrough came in 1970 when Xeroxa photocopier companyestablished PARC, a research center dedicated to explore the paperless future, and tasked it with an ambitious mission: making computers accessible to everyone, even children.The team found their answer in a simple metaphor: paper. They noticed how naturally office workers handled documentsmoving them, stacking them, filing them away. This observation became the foundation for the modern computer interface. They created visual representations of familiar items: a desktop surface, folders, a trash can, files you can pick up and move, and overlapping windows that mimicked papers on a desk. Drawing from research on how children learn through physical manipulation, they designed an interface that felt as natural as arranging items on a desk. They recognized the power of metaphors to rewire ourbrain.The paper metaphor creates clear affordances: when you see a folder, you know you can put things in it; when you see a trash can, you know you can throw things away; when you see a window, you know you can move it around. The metaphor didnt explain the computerit made it immediately clear how to use it. And ironically, paper became the primary metaphor for the paperless world.Xerox Alto, the very first computer using the paper metaphor. Screenshot of Smalltalk GUI, copyrighted 1980. Courtesy ofPARC.Today, as Dan Saffer writes: no one addresses his computer without some metaphoric mediation. This is still true in smartphones, where weve developed a new language of interaction: we pull to refresh, swipe to dismiss, pinch to zoom. The evolution of these metaphors mirrors how our relationship with technology has changed. Weve moved from the paper metaphor to a physics inspired interaction model.This shift from professional to physical metaphors parallels computings journey from office tools to personal devices. While desktop computers still use the paper metaphor, smartphones have adopted a language stripped of most cultural or professional context. By embracing simple physical metaphors, smartphones achieved something remarkable: they made computing accessible to a much wider audience. This suggests how universal metaphors, when well chosen, can help make complex systems accessible.Today, we face this challenge with Generative AI and Large Language Modelssome of the most abstract and complex technologies of our time. Confronted with these new tools, we instinctively reach for familiar frameworks: some define LLMs as sophisticated copying machines (stochastic parrots or blurry JPEG of the web), others envision them as crowds, inscrutable gods, aliens, or even food. These metaphors help bring seemingly magical technologies within our grasp, but each offers a different way of understanding them. When we see AI as a copying machine, we focus on its limitations; when we see it as a crowd, we think about emergence; when we frame it as an alien intelligence, we contemplate its otherness. As Sean Trott observes: our choice of framing is exerting a subtle influence on the direction of our thought.What is the right metaphor?To understand computers, smartphones or LLMs we need the right metaphors. As Steven Jay Gould writes: We often think naively that missing data are the primary impediment to intellectual progress, just find the right fact and all the problems will dissipate, but barriers are often deeper and more abstract than thought. We must have access to the right metaphors, not only to the requisite information. Revolutionary thinkers are not, primarily, gatherers of facts but weavers of new intellectual structures. Beyond technical specifications and capabilities, its the metaphors we choose that will determine how we understand and use these technologies.However, some metaphors we assume to be universal are actually deeply cultural. Lets look at time. English speakers conceptualize time spatially with the past behind us and the future ahead. But Aymara speakers from the Andes use a completely different framework based on visibility rather than direction of movement. For them, The past, visible, thus stands in front of the speaker, while the future, unseeable, looms behind. Their gestures match this perspective: they point forward when discussing the past and backward for thefuture.Other cultures use entirely different spatial metaphors. Yupno speakers in New Guinea conceptualize time in relation to the mountains around them: the future flows uphill while the past flows downhill. Perhaps most surprisingly, researchers found that Tupi-Kawahb speakers in Brazil appear to organize time without using spatial metaphors at all, challenging the assumption that time-space mapping is universal.These examples reveal that metaphors we assume to be universal are often deeply cultural. When creating new metaphors, we should question our assumptions about whats intuitive or universal, recognizing that different metaphors might serve different communities better.Finite and infinite metaphorsLets go back to our brain metaphors. In the late 1800s, while many scientists were embracing mechanical and electrical metaphors for the nervous system, the Spanish neuroscientist Santiago Ramn y Cajal proposed a radically different vision. Having grown up in the Spanish countryside, he saw the brain not as a fixed machine but as a living gardenneurons were trees that could grow and branch, axons were climbing vines, and dendrites were delicate flowers blooming in the cerebral forest. This wasnt just poetic language. Cajal actively rejected the dominant telegraph metaphor of his time, arguing that a rigid network of wires contradicted what he observed: the brains remarkable ability to change and adapt. Its garden metaphor captured something fundamental that mechanical metaphors couldnt: the brains plasticity, its capacity for growth and transformation.Purkinje cell drawn by Cajal from the human cerebellum at the back of the head, which regulates balance for walking and standing. Courtesy of Cajal Institute, Cajal Legacy, Spanish National ResearchCouncilThe brain is neither truly a garden nor a machine (whatever the most advanced machine of our time is). But while the machine metaphor attempts to map a complex unknown (the brain) to a complex known (the machine), the garden metaphor shifts entirely our vision of what a brain is, and I would argue that it also shifts our vision of what a garden is. This gives us another insight into what makes a good metaphor: they dont just map one object to another but rather shift our perspectives on bothobjects.James P. Carse develop this idea in the fascinating Finite and Infinite Games: It is not the role of metaphor to draw our sight to what is there, but to draw our vision toward what is not there and, indeed, cannot be anywhere. Metaphor is horizontal, reminding us that it is ones vision that is limited, and not what one is viewing. This shift in perspective is the reason why some metaphors are so powerful.We need metaphors to expand our thinking, to look at the world in new ways. Much like scientific models, I see metaphors as frameworks through which we perceive and analyze the world. Some metaphors might be models yet to emerge, offering glimpses of new ways to structure our understanding.In conclusion, we often think we use metaphors to explain ideas, but I believe good metaphors dont explain but rather transform how our minds engage with ideas, opening entirely new ways of thinking. When crafting metaphors or communicating complex ideas, our role isnt really to explain what exists, but to cultivate spaces where new understanding canbloom.This text is part of a series reflecting on my practice as a designer working in science communication. You can find my work and get in touch here: https://www.louischarron.io/SourcesFinite and Infinite GamesJames PCarseMetaphors we live byGeorge Lakoff, MarkJohnsenShortcutJohnPollackThe role of metaphor in communication and thoughtPaul H. Thibodeau, Teenie Matlock, Stephen J. Flusberghttps://compass.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/lnc3.12327Of Microscopes and Metaphors: visual analogy as a scientific toolMatteo Farinellahttps://matteofarinella.com/Of-Microscopes-and-MetaphorsA History of the GUIJeremy Reimerhttps://arstechnica.com/features/2005/05/gui/The Father of Modern Neuroscience Discovered the Basic Unit of the Nervous SystemBenjamin Ehrlichhttps://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-father-of-modern-neuroscience-discovered-the-basic-unit-of-the-nervous-system/How much does our language shape our thinking?Manvir Singhhttps://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/12/30/how-much-does-our-language-shape-our-thinkingThe secret of good metaphors was originally published in UX Collective on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

How an adaptive onboarding experience could empower designers and accelerate theirgrowthIllustration byAuthorImagine opening Figma for the first timeyoure eager to start designing, but as soon as the interface loads, youre confronted with a dense array of tools and hidden featureslayers, components, auto layout, prototyping options, and plugins. That initial excitement quickly turns into hesitation.Where do you evenstart?As a university-level instructor teaching design software, I see this struggle often. And its not just Figmathis is a universal challenge for those using professional design tools for the firsttime.Overloaded interfaces can overwhelm, while minimalist UIs can be just as frustrating, with essential features buried in obscure menus. In both cases, the cognitive load shifts from creating to simply figuring out how to navigate the software.But what if onboarding felt less like trial and error and more like guided discovery? Imagine unlocking tools gradually, earning achievements as you master featureslike leveling up in agame.Instead of a blank slate and an overwhelming toolbar, novice designers could follow a structured, gamified learning path that builds confidence while keeping the sense of discovery alive.Figmas Current OnboardingBefore diving into gamification, its worth noting Figmas current onboarding process. It primarily relies on a short introductory tour, fundamental tutorials, in-app tooltips, and, of course, the Figma community. While helpful for some, these methods often fall short for designers seeking a structured learningpath.https://medium.com/media/6eaa2f5c898f5f1f3faadb8dae3cb1ee/hrefDesigners are often left to explore and learn at their own pace, which can lead to frustration when facing complex features. This unstructured approach highlights the potential for a more guided onboarding experience.Gamified Progression for FigmaUsersRather than presenting every tool upfront, what if Figma offered an adaptive UIone that progressively introduces features based on how designers interact with the software?Envision a system integrating:Progressive UI ModeAdvanced tools like Variants and Interactive Components remain hidden until designers opt in or naturally reach a point where they need them, keeping the interface focused.Feature Unlocks by InteractionKey tools like Auto Layout and Components become available as designers successfully work with foundational elements like frames and text, ensuring a smooth learningcurve.Skill Progression & RewardsProgress indicators and achievement badges track mastery of core tools, providing motivation while keeping the experience streamlined. Designers can optionally share milestones with the Figma community or teammates.Guided, Hands-on LearningInteractive challenges and guided prototypes reinforce feature discovery directly within real Figma files, allowing designers to learn bydoing.This wouldnt be a restrictive gamification model. Instead, it would align complexity with a designers skill level, rewarding proficiency with deeper functionality.While progress indicators and achievements arent new in software tools, their value comes from being thoughtfully integrated into the workflow. By aligning feature access with proficiency, Figma can enhance usability, retention, andmastery.A similar, though less gamified, onboarding method is used with production software like AutoCAD (tailored workspaces), Blender (gradual tool introduction through tutorials), and Notion (progressive feature disclosure).Even design tools like Adobe offer customizable workspaces. However, their UIs do not dynamically evolve based on user skill level or achievements.Adobe Illustrator workspace optionsBy combining gamification with progressive feature unlocks, Figma could create a UI that adapts with the designersurfacing tools at the right time to optimize both learning and efficiency.The Power of GamificationResearch shows that gamification boosts engagement, knowledge retention, and learning outcomes through game-like elements such as points, badges, and leaderboards.Some critics warn that gamification, while effective for engagement, can sometimes encourage compulsive behavior, where users become more focused on earning points or badges rather than developing meaningful skills.Nonetheless, many studies indicate that structured learning paths, progressive feature unlocks, and gamification elements help novice users by providing clear guidancemaking skill development more intuitive, and adding an element of enjoyment to the learningprocess.Image source: https://raccoongang.com/blog/designing-efficient-elearning-gamification/While specific, public data on Figmas onboarding satisfaction is limited, anecdotal evidence from online forums and design communities consistently points to the challenges of learning complex features without sufficient guidance.Gamification in Professional PlatformsGamification isnt just for consumer apps such as Duolingo or Fitbitmany professional platforms already use it to encourage learning:Salesforce Trailhead: Interactive modules reward users with badges and skill progressions, while still keeping all features accessible.Microsoft Learn: Structured learning paths use points and achievements to encourage engagement.HubSpot Academy: Certification models guide users through complex tools in a structured manor.These approaches dont restrict access but instead create pathways for users to engage at their ownpace.Image source: https://medium.com/trailhead/what-is-trailhead-79595b07e549Balancing Control and ExplorationOf course, any structured or gamified onboarding system must avoid feeling like a limitation. In my experience teaching design software, some students thrive with step-by-step guidance, while others prefer immediate, unfiltered access.A hybrid approach could strike the right balancean optional, guided learning path with achievements and unlocks for those who want structure, while keeping the full feature set immediately available for those whodont.It is also important to consider edge cases, and ensure that should a user need a hidden feature immediately, that they have a clear path to accessit.Image source: https://www.appsflyer.com/blog/trends-insights/app-gamification/Learning That Feels LikeProgressUltimately, the goal of professional software, especially design tools, isnt to restrict but to empower users at every skill level. A well-designed onboarding system that incorporates gamification and progressive access wouldnt replace organic learning but instead provide supportive scaffolding that users can step away from when they feelready.What do you think? Would a tiered gamification system make Figma more accessible, or do you prefer full access from thestart?When you first started using Figma, how did you learntrial and error, tutorials, or something else?Share your thoughts in the comments!Dont miss out! Join my email list and receive the latestcontent.Should Figma utilize gamification to help designers level up? was originally published in UX Collective on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.The Pixel 9 is the latest series of the Google Pixel phone lineup. They were released late last summer with the 9 Pro and Pro XL getting released as well. But if you're OK with an already good camera and prefer to save some money, the 128 GB unlocked Pixel 9 is just $599 (originally $799) after a $200 discount, the lowest price it has been since its release, according to price-tracking tools. You can get it in obsidian, peony, or porcelain. Brand:Google, OS: Android 14, RAM: 12 GB, Storage:128 GB, Screen Size: 6.3 Inches. Google Pixel 9 (Obsidian) $599.00 at Amazon $799.00 Save $200.00 Get Deal Get Deal $599.00 at Amazon $799.00 Save $200.00 Brand:Google, OS: Android 14, RAM: 12 GB, Storage:128 GB, Screen Size: 6.3 Inches. Google Pixel 9 (Peony) $599.00 at Amazon $799.00 Save $200.00 Get Deal Get Deal $599.00 at Amazon $799.00 Save $200.00 Brand:Google, OS: Android 14, RAM: 12 GB, Storage:128 GB, Screen Size: 6.3 Inches. Google Pixel 9 (Porcelain) $599.00 at Amazon $799.00 Save $200.00 Get Deal Get Deal $599.00 at Amazon $799.00 Save $200.00 SEE 0 MORE As most Pixel fans are probably aware, the budget Pixel 9a is expected to release sometime this month, which probably explains the new discount of the Pixel 9. If the pattern continues, you'll likely see the Pixel 9a come out for $500 during the pre-order sale. Also, if the trend of a-series phones continues, the Pixel 9 might still be a better value than the 9a.The Pixel 9 comes with 12GB of RAM, starts with 128GB of memory storage, a maximum 120 HZ refresh rate, and the Android 14 operating system. Lifehacker's associate tech editor Michelle Ehrhardt deemed the more premium Pixel 9 Pro's hardware as the best Google has made so far, but its AI features still had hiccups. However, AI features will keep improving over time; the most important thing to get right is the hardware.The battery life can last almost 12 hours, according to PCMag's "excellent" review. The main camera has a 50MP shooter, a 48MP ultra-wide camera with a 123-degree field of view, same as the Pro models, but it has a single-zone laser detect autofocus (LDAF) sensor (the pro has multi-zone LDAF).If you have the Pixel 8, you might not notice a huge upgrade in this version. However, if you're upgrading from an older version or doing a switch from a non-Pixel phone, the 9 has a lot to offer. One of my favorite things about Pixel phones is the ongoing support for many years. My Pixel 6A still gets all of the updates and tons of AI features that make the phone feel fresh many years later, with the latest ones dropping last month. With the Pixel 9, you'll be getting a quality phone with software updates for a while (as long as seven years).

Sometimes you need a day off. Sometimes you dont need a day off, but you take one anyway. If you have any anxieties about what exercise means to you, you may spiral into worry or guilt: Am I a slacker? Am I losing all my gains? And if rest days are so important, why do I feel guilty every time I take one? You probably know the answers to these questions, which all boil down to: A day off doesnt define who you are. But feelings of rest day guilt are pretty common, and Ive felt them myself. So here's a pep talk to help you understand these contradictory feelings, and some options for what to do when you feel this way. Tell yourself these things: Know that one day doesnt matterBeing strong or fit or getting in shape is a years-long goal, if not a lifelong one. Five years from now, will you look back on this one particular day with regret? You probably wont even remember it happened.Tomorrow is a new day, so dont fall into the trap of thinking youve ruined your whole week or your whole training program. Either skip the day or make it up tomorrow, whichever will make the path easier for you going forward. Rest is usefulA well-designed program will usually have at least one rest day each week; some programs might even have three or four. All are perfectly valid ways to work out. So if you took three rest days this week rather than two, its not like all your hard work went to waste.Your body will put that rest to good use, anyway. Some people will say a certain number of rest days per week are necessary; I dont know that thats actually true as long as your fatigue is well managed. But regardless of whether you need a day off, your body can stilluse one for extra recovery. Youll feel fresher the day you come back. You may feel better if you do something A rest day doesn't have to be 100% sedentary. Resting too much can backfire. Let's say you need to take a day off from runningcool, great, you're taking care of yourself. But then you may be missing out on the mental health benefits of exercise, and now you're sitting around being grumpy. Go for a walk to get those benefits, or do another low-key activity you enjoy, like yoga or stretching. You feel guilty because you care It's worth taking a minute to unpack those guilty feelings. Often, we feel guilty about taking a day off because we have a plan in our mind (say, we envision ourselves working out every day) and we see that we're falling short. Having a plan, and being able to compare our actions to our plan, are both good things! We may just need to recalibrate a bit. So when you feel guilty, think about your plan. Maybe your plan can allow some extra rest days, which means you're not off-target at all. Or maybe your plan is unrealistic, and you've been putting inappropriate expectations on yourself. Check whether your benchmarks (or SMART goals) actually match up appropriately with your big-picture dream goals. Focus on consistencyA big part of the reason one day doesnt matter is that, in the long run, what does matter is consistency. If youve been hitting all your workouts for weeks on end, and this week you have to miss one, you are still the kind of person who usually hits all their workouts. Maybe youre afraid that this one day off is going to send you down a slippery slope, and youll end up taking more days off. Well, thats within your power! Decide how and when youll get back on that horse. Plan out your schedule for tomorrow, or for next week, and make sure youll be able to make those next sessions. Problem-solve for next timeWhy did you take this rest day, anyway? If you were feeling worn down, maybe you need a more balanced exercise program that doesnt leave you feeling that way. Or if you dread a certain workout, maybe thats a sign that you need to change somethingeither the workout, or your mindset. If you always skip workouts with box jumps, for example, there are ways to get over that fear. Just a time management issue? Try some of these tips for getting in regular exerciseeven when your schedule is already packed.Consider your overall planOr maybe youre feeling guilty because youve missed a lot of days. Thats a sign that you may be on a path thats unsustainable. Are you so stressed out from work that you dont feel motivated to work out? Maybe you need more than a days break from working out to see if that relieves some of the extra pressure. Or maybe you need to lift before work instead of after, to see if that gives you enough of a mood boost to get you through a stressful day. Or maybe you just have to solve the larger problem in your life. (Talk to your boss about your workload? Start looking for a new job?)Bottom line, if you feel guilty about missing one day because to you its a symbol of other things going on in your life, zoom out and see what you can do about fixing those other things.