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Wednesday, February 2, 2022

It's time to party with Animal Crossing Festivale!

Get ready to party!

Yet another year has come and gone with Animal Crossing Toy Day and New Year's firmly in the rearview mirror. Now it's time to turn our attention to the year's first in-game celebration found in the form of Festivale. Islanders are visited by Pavé, the fabulous peacock, who brings with him plenty of color and cheer to light up the cold winter months. Here's everything you need to know about Animal Crossing Festivale and Pavé.

One of the reasons that Animal Crossing is one of the best Nintendo Switch games is because it allows us to celebrate real-world holidays and seasonal events in-game. To learn more about other festivities, check out the Animal Crossing events calendar.

When is Animal Crossing Festivale?

This year Animal Crossing Festivale will be on February 15th. This festivity takes place the day before real-world Mardi Gras. Since the real-life holiday shifts depending on the year, Festivale is celebrated in either February or March.

What is Festivale?

Festivale is marked by Pavé the peacock appearing on your Resident Service Plaza and confetti falling from the sky. Your villagers will dress in sparkling clothes and feathery headdresses. When you talk to Pavé, this fabulous bird sends players off to collect feathers.

They can be caught with a net as they float down alongside the confetti. If players collect the proper color and amount of feathers, then Pavé rewards them with a dance, DIY recipe, or Festivale items. If you give Pavé a Rainbow Feather he will give you a Rainbow Festivale item in exchange.

What to do on Festivale

It will likely take you about 25-30 minutes to complete the Festivale tasks. The Able Sisters should have Festivale clothes in their store. Dress up to make the day that much more fun. Here's what to do on Festivale.

  1. Talk to Pavé (he's on the Resident Service Plaza) to get the Rainbow Feather DIY.
  2. Run around your island and capture different feather colors (red, green, purple, blue) with your bug net. You can also wear a feather if you select it from your inventory.
  3. Talk to your villagers and see what feathers they have. You might be able to trade the feathers you have for a color you don't have.
  4. Craft a Rainbow Feather at a DIY station using one red, one green, one purple, and one blue feather.
  5. Give the Rainbow Feather to Pavé and he'll give you a rainbow Festivale item. Continue to give him Rainbow Feathers to get the rest of the rainbow set. There are nine different items in total.
  6. Once you have all nine rainbow Festivale items, craft three rainbow feathers and give them to Pavé. He'll do an awesome dance and then give you the Festivale Float.
  7. If you give Pavé three feathers of the same color, he will give you a random Festivale item in that same color. For instance, if I gave him three purple feathers, he might give me the purple Festivale Drum. You can continue to collect every Festivale item color variation by doing this.
  8. If you want something more to do after that, you could continue to catch feathers and then craft rainbow feathers. Timmy and Tommy Nook will give you 1,600 Bells for each Rainbow Feather you sell them at Nook's Cranny. The other feathers sell for 200 Bells each.

Festivale items

Festivale items can be purchased in the Nook's Cranny, however, each player only sees one color option in their store. For instance, all the Festivale items that show up in my shop are purple. Thankfully, you can customize these items and change their colors if you have enough feathers of a different color. Of course, you can also trade with a friend who has a different color in their store.

As mentioned previously, you can also get these items from Pavé if you give him three of the same feather color. However, you can only get rainbow-colored items from Pavé. Here are all of the Animal Crossing items for Festivale.

Name Color variations
Feather
Festivale Accessory
Festivale Balloon Lamp
Festivale Confetti Machine
Festivale Costume
Festivale Drum
Festivale Flag
Festivale Garland
Festivale Lamp
Festivale Stage
Festivale Stall
Festivale Tank Dress

Festivale DIY recipes

There's really only the Rainbow Feather DIY. But there are several fun items to collect during Festivale.

New reactions

Nintendo has also revealed that new reactions, clothing, and seasonal items will come to New Horizons in February. For a limited time, the Viva Festivale Reaction Set can be purchased from the green cabinet at Nook's Cranny. This set includes the following reactions:

  • Feelin' It
  • Let's Go
  • Viva and Confetti

New clothing

Starting February 1, the Able Sisters shop will sell Festivale clothing. You'll definitely want to dress in style for the big day to match your villagers and your feathery visitor.

New seasonal items

From February 1 through February 14, players can purchase special seasonal items from the Nook Stop at Resident Services or the Nook Shopping app. These items cover Valentine's Day, Groundhog Day, and the Super Bowl:

Name Color variations
Bean Tossing Kit
Bokjumeoni Lucky Pouch
Chocolate Heart
Megaphone
Heart-Shaped Bouquet
Horned-Ogre Mask
Lucky Red Envelope
Lunar New Year Decoration
Maracas
Ogre Costume
Okame Mask
Resetti Model

Animal Crossing Pavé & Festivale

It's time to celebrate the start of the new year with Festivale and our favorite fabulous peacock! Collect cute items as you enjoy the annual holiday.

Get More Switch

Nintendo Switch

$299 at Amazon


I'm very excited for Face ID with a Mask — here's why

Face ID with a Mask is the solution to unlocking iPhone that I've been waiting on for the last two years.

The usefulness of Face ID has certainly diminished for some people over the last couple of years due to face masks' sovereign becoming part of our everyday life. Apple has made several changes to attempt to address this issue, and I think overall they have done an adequate job — but now they have exceeded expectations with an update to iOS 15.

In the newest iOS 15 beta, there is now a Face ID with a Mask option that will allow users to open their phones using Face ID without having to take off their mask, and I think it's the best solution for everybody.

Why I didn't like the Apple Watch method

This isn't the first time that Apple has upgraded Face ID in an attempt to alleviate the inconvenience of wearing a face mask. You may remember that last year, Apple included a method to unlock your iPhone with your Apple Watch. Basically, if you put a passcode on your Apple Watch, and your Apple Watch was on your wrist and unlocked, it would unlock your iPhone.

After using that feature for a while last year, I eventually realized that — from a security perspective — it sucked. It didn't scan your face at all, it completely bypassed Face ID and just looked to ensure your Apple Watch was on and unlocked. Yes, I know that your Apple Watch would get a notification and give you the option to lock your iPhone, but it wasn't enough for me.

You can call me paranoid, and admittedly, I am a little bit, but that doesn't change the fact that the Apple Watch method does absolutely nothing to actually authenticate that it is you unlocking your best iPhone.

Why Face ID with Mask is better for everyone

If you want to unlock your iPhone while wearing a mask, I believe the best way to do it is using Face ID with a Mask — here's why.

First, and this should be obvious, you don't need an Apple Watch. Not everyone has an Apple Watch, and expecting people to have one is all sorts of wrong. Now, of course, the pandemic was an unforeseen event that Apple has no control over, and I understand why they came out with a workaround last year, but I'm glad the company kept working on the issue.

This makes the feature accessible to more people, and more accessibility in tech is always a good thing.

The other big reason this new method is better than before is that actually scans your face. Face ID with a Mask is said to focus on more details around your eyes and forehead while it scans your face, allowing the software to authenticate that it is indeed you. This alone makes it more secure than the Apple Watch method because it is actually trying to authenticate you. Remember that the information from Face ID is stored on the chip on your iPhone or iPad and not sent to Apple's servers, so your facial identity is kept private. This remains true for Face ID with a Mask. Everything is kept on your device.

Still only in beta

Unfortunately, the feature is only on the developer beta of iOS 15.4 and is not available to the public yet. We also don't know exactly when it will be. I'm hoping that the beta process goes smoothly enough that the launch for feature on the public beta of iOS 15.4 won't be too far behind.

There are still some questions that need to be answered and tested, like just how accurate is Face ID with a Mask? What are the chances it can be fooled? But given how seriously Apple tends to take the privacy and security of their users, I'm sure they wouldn't have launched the feature — even in the developer beta — if there were huge security risks involved. Time will tell when this great new feature will become widely available.


Which is the best MacBook for photographers?

Last year, Apple upped the game with its MacBook Pro lineup. Gone forever are Intel-based models, which two new models have replaced with either Apple M1 Pro or Apple M1 Max silicon. For photographers, we recommend the largest of the two, the 16-inch MacBook Pro (2021). And yet, there are other possibilities worth considering, including those mentioned below. They're all on our list of the best MacBooks overall of the year.

Best overall: 16-inch MacBook Pro (2021)

For the professional photographer, there's nothing better than the second-generation 16-inch MacBook Pro (2021), which was significantly improved over the first version, which launched in 2019 and is now discontinued. Like the all-new 14-inch MacBook Pro (mentioned below), this model offers either an M1 Pro or M1 Max SoC with up to 64GB of unified memory and 8TB of SSD storage. That's a lot of storage for your photos and videos. In addition, you can get up to a 10-core CPU and 32-core GPU.

But there's much more. The latest 16-inch MacBook Pro comes with a Liquid Retina XDR display (3456 by 2234 pixels) with ProMotion technology for adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz. It's also packed with up to 21 hours of battery life between charges and comes with an all-new 1080p FaceTime HD camera with an advanced image signal processor and computational video.

The 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook models (2021), some of the best MacBooks available, also see the return of MagSafe, HDMI port, and an SDXC card slot, besides its three Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports. If you're looking for any negatives, understand this is the heaviest MacBook Pro in many years (4.7 pounds). It's also costly, even at the base level.

Pros:

  • Latest and greatest
  • M1 Pro or M1 Max, you decide
  • 16GB to 64GB of unified memory
  • 512GB to 8TB of storage
  • A Liquid Retina XDR display

Cons:

  • Most expensive model
  • Heavy (4.7 lbs)

Best overall

16-inch MacBook Pro (2021)

From $2,499 at Apple

From $2,450 at Amazon

Nothing better

The latest 16-inch MacBook Pro gives you the most power and performance, though the price tag is high.

Best for mobility: 14-inch MacBook Pro (2021)

This is the laptop for you if you want everything on the 16-inch MacBook Pro, but with a smaller display. It offers the same internals as the larger model for a little less.

For those looking for a MacBook Pro and on a budget, you might want to consider the 13-inch model instead. It's a year older and offers a slightly smaller display. And yet, it still comes with Apple silicon. It's also the final MacBook Pro to provide a Touch Bar.

Pros:

  • Portable
  • Touch Bar
  • Liquid Retina XDR display
  • Same great features as the 16-inch model

Cons:

  • Still expensive

Best for mobility

14-inch MacBook Pro (2021)

From $1,999 at Apple From $1,999 at Best Buy From $1,950 at Amazon

Versatility at a lower price

The 14-inch MacBook Pro is nearly identical to the 16-inch model except for the smaller display and price.

Best Pro budget: 13-inch MacBook Pro with M1

The 13-inch MacBook Pro (M1, 2020), alongside the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) (see below), were the first two MacBooks to switch to Apple silicon in 2020. This model features an 8-core M1 chip, which means there are four cores for performance and the rest for power efficiency. With it, you get a 2560x1600 resolution Retina display, up to 16GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage.

The only significant difference between the 13-inch MacBook Pro and MacBook Air is that the Pro has a Touch Bar with Touch ID, and battery life is around 20 hours (versus 18 hours with the Air). So, if you don't necessarily care for the Touch Bar or think that two hours of battery life makes that much difference, you can save some money and get a MacBook Air with M1 instead. Keep in mind that the Pro also has fans to prevent overheating (the Air is fanless), which is helpful if you plan to do resource-intensive work.

Note: Apple's likely to replace or retire the 13-inch MacBook Pro before the end of 2022. This means you should be able to find great discounts on this model right now. (It also means you might want to reconsider buying this product).

Pros:

  • Has Apple M1 SoC
  • Touch Bar with Touch ID
  • 20-hour battery life
  • Retina display
  • Scissor-switch keyboard

Cons:

  • Not much different from MacBook Air with M1
  • Maxes out at 16GB RAM
  • Only has two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports

Best Pro budget

13-inch MacBook Pro with M1

From $1,299 at Apple

From $1,300 at Best Buy

From $1,299 at B&H Photo

Affordable power

The 13-inch MacBook Pro with M1 is just like the Air, except it has the Touch Bar with Touch ID, fans, and better battery life.

Best for student photographers: MacBook Air (M1, 2020)

The MacBook Air with M1 features Apple's M1 system-on-a-chip (SoC), which has the CPU, GPU, RAM, and T2 combined into a single processor chip. The base model MacBook Air features an 8-core M1 chip with four performance cores and four efficiency cores.

Even though the MacBook Air is the cheapest MacBook, you aren't missing out on any features. The MacBook Air with M1 still has a Retina display at 2560x1600 resolution at 227 pixels per inch (PPI) and Touch ID. It also includes the much-improved scissor-switch keyboard, and it's still thin enough to fit inside a manila envelope.

Although the MacBook Air remains our favorite MacBook for most people, it's starting to get a bit long in the tooth and is likely to get replaced in the coming months.

Pros:

  • Most affordable MacBook
  • Long-lasting battery life
  • Has scissor-switch keyboard

Cons:

  • Only two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports
  • RAM caps out at 16GB
  • A 2022 model is almost certainly coming

Best for student photographers

MacBook Air (M1, 2020)

From $999 at Apple

From $1,000 at Best Buy

From $949 at B&H Photo

The perfect Mac laptop for most people

The MacBook Air has the perfect balance of features and affordability with the new M1 SoC, Retina display, and great software.

The best for most is the 16-inch MacBook Pro (2021)

The 16-inch MacBook Pro (2021) is the best MacBook for professional photographers. It offers blazing fast internals thanks to your choice of the M1 Pro or M1 Max SoC. Both have been optimized for performance and efficiency. The model also offers up to 8GB of storage and 64GB of unified memory.

Add in the fact that you get up to 21 hours of battery life and a sharp Liquid Retina XDR display, and it's all here. It's the best MacBook Pro model you can currently find on the market. It doesn't come cheap, however, which is something to keep in mind.

Once you've secured this MacBook you'll want to get some of the best cases and screen protectors to keep it looking shiny and brand new!

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Bryan M. Wolfe is a dad who loves technology, especially anything new from Apple. Penn State (go Nittany Lions) graduate here, also a huge fan of the New England Patriots. Here's currently using a 14-inch MacBook Pro. @bryanmwolfe


Tuesday, February 1, 2022

How to catch Darkrai, Manaphy, and Shaymin in Pokémon Legends: Arceus

Catch these mythical Pokémon after beating the main storyline in Legends: Arceus.

As was the case in the original Pokémon Diamond and Pearl DS games, Manaphy, Phione, Shaymin, and Darkrai are mythical Pokémon that can only be obtained in the post-game of Legends: Arceus. That being the case, you will not be able to acquire any of these creatures unless you have beaten the main storyline and have seen the credits roll. Two of them also require that you have save files for past Pokémon games on your Switch. Then you'll need to undertake specific quests in order to unlock them. Here's what to do.

Catching Manaphy & Phione Request 66: The Sea's Legend

You do not need any additional save file information from past Pokémon games in order to see Manaphy and Phione in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

  1. You must have beaten the game's main story and seen the credits roll.
  2. Return to Jubilife Village and enter the Galaxy guildhall.
  3. Go into Professor Laventon's room and interact with the blackboard.
  4. Accept the request titled "The Sea's Legend."
  5. Now you'll need to have three Pokémon in your party: Buizel, Mantyke, and Overquil. All of them can be found in the Cobalt Coastland.
    • Buizel: Aipom Hill, Bathers' Lagoon
    • Mantyke: Ginkgo Landing, Tranquility Cove
    • Overquil: Catch Hisuian Quilfish and have it use Barb Barrage in Strong Style 20 times to evolve it.
  6. Head to the arching rock formations coming out of the water in the distance.
  7. Now get on Basculegion and travel to the Sea Side Hollow. It's a cave in the cliff.

  8. Enter the cave and you'll find one Manaphy and three Phiones.
  9. I suggest manually saving before attempting to capture any of them and then letting your Poké Balls fly.

Catching Shaymin Request 92: A Token of Gratitude

In order to get Shaymin, you must have a save file for Sword or Shield on the same Switch that you're playing Legends: Arceus on. This doesn't have to be a long file at all, just enough so there is data on the console.

  1. You must have beaten the game's main story and seen the credits roll.
  2. Return to Jubilife Village and enter the Galaxy guildhall.
  3. Go into Professor Laventon's room and interact with the blackboard.
  4. Accept the request titled "A Token of Gratitude."
  5. Head out to the Obsidian Fieldlands and talk to Medi to get Gracidea, an evolutionary item for Shaymin's Sky Form.
  6. Head to the flower patch located at Floaro Gardens, west of the entrance to Obsidian Fields.

  7. A cutscene will ensue and then you can catch Shaymin. Shaymin isn't skittish. So just throw some Poké Balls at it until it is captured.
  8. If you want it to turn into its Sky Form, go into your Satchel and give it the Gracidea.

Catching Darkrai Request 93: The Darksome Nightmare

In order to get Darkrai, you must have save data for Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl on the Switch you are playing Legends: Arceus on. You don't even have to have played long, just enough so that there is data on your Switch.

  1. You must have beaten the game's main story and seen the credits roll.
  2. Return to Jubilife Village and enter the Galaxy guildhall.
  3. Go into Professor Laventon's room and interact with the blackboard.
  4. Accept the request titled "The Darksome Nightmare."
  5. Make your way to the Coronet Highlands and use the tent to change to nighttime if it isn't already.
  6. Head to the marker for the sidequest. It will take you southeast of Clamberclaw Cliffs.
  7. If you're doing manual saves, I suggest you save now in case you accidentally defeat it without capturing it.
  8. Darkrai is not easy to catch or battle. When you toss Poké Balls at it it'll immediately disappear. You need to wait until it starts screaming and then you can throw your own Pokémon at it to start the battle.
  9. Whittle down its health and then throw a Poké Ball at it to capture it. It is a Dark-type, so it is weak to Fighting, Dark, and Fairy moves.

After defeating or catching Darkrai, Cael will appear and mark the task as complete.

Mythic quests

With these mythical Pokémon captured, you can work on filling out their Pokédex entries. Remember that you can only unlock the Shiny Charm, which makes it more likely to encounter shiny Pokémon, if you have gotten every Pokédex entry to level 10, so it's well worth your time to do it.

Magical, mystical, mythical

Pokémon Legends: Arceus

$60 at Best Buy $55 at Amazon

Gotta catch 'em all!

Pokémon Legends: Arceus provides a Pokémon RPG experience like no other. There are 242 Pokémon to catch including legendary and mythical creatures.