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SAVE 25%: As of April 3, you can get the Dyson PencilVac for $449.99, down from $599.99. That's a 25% discount or $150 savings.

Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones Cordless Vacuum $449.99 at Dyson
$599.99 Save $150   Get Deal at Dyson Get Deal at Amazon

If you've been looking for a vacuum that takes the term "stick vacuum" literally, the ultra-slim and aptly named Dyson PencilVac features a 1.5-inch handle that fits right into the palm of your hand.

SEE ALSO: The best vacuums we've tested at home, from robots to Dyson stick vacs

Right now, you can get the Dyson PencilVac at Amazon for $449.99, down from $599.99. That's a 25% discount or a $150 price cut. It's also the lowest price we've seen this model go for, according to our trusty price-tracking tool CamelCamelCamel. (Prime members can also take advantage of free returns and fast delivery.)

Mashable's Senior Shopping Reporter and vacuum expert, Leah Stodart, says the Dyson PencilVac "is a stick vacuum in the most literal sense of the term." It's super lightweight (less than four pounds), and the motor, battery, and dustbin are built completely flush into the wand. It also features these cool "Fluffycones" that actively strip long hair from the brush roll so it doesn't get tangled — though it doesn't come with a mini motorized pet tool. However, it more than makes up for it with its dual-laser action that lights up hidden dust and crumbs on your hard floors.

If you've just started programming, you may get excited by the powerful tools available in 2026 that help to skip all the legwork. But what if I told you that despite the marvel of LLMs, they're not the best-in-class tools for generating a static website?

Back when I got my first Android smartphone in 2013 and learned about Google Photos, I thought it was the best thing ever. 15GB of free cloud backups for all my memories? Yes, please. However, over time, my favorite app turned into a nightmare, and that brings me to where I am now.

The Honda CR-V remains one of the most popular compact SUVs on sale, thanks to its blend of practicality, efficiency, and long-term reliability. But with multiple trims available for 2026, choosing the right version can quickly become confusing. From budget-friendly entry models to better-equipped hybrid variants, each trim brings its own mix of features, value, and appeal.

There's a common misconception in the PC gaming space that GPUs somehow, as if by magic, get worse with age. And sure, any piece of hardware gets worse with age, that's true. If you use any part of your computer excessively for years, it'll have some wear-and-tear—but it won't be borderline obsolete, which is what some people think of aging graphics cards.

When you're setting up a Plex server, you might think that a cheap Raspberry Pi is a good way to save money. Thing is, while a Raspberry Pi is good for a lot of things, it's poorly suited to being a Plex server.

Before moving to Linux, I mostly just used VirtualBox on Windows to run virtual machines. It's available on Linux too, so I kept using it until I found out QEMU/KVM gives you much better performance. Setting QEMU up, though, was a confusing nightmare as a beginner because it's an advanced command-line tool. This is what I should have done instead.

Back in the mid-2010s, Intel was the undisputed king of the consumer CPU market. It offered the best gaming and productivity CPUs, with its closest rival, AMD, struggling to deliver a competitive product ever since the debut of its infamous Bulldozer microarchitecture.

If you're watching comedy on YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok these days, chances are you've at least seen clips from Dropout. Whether it's Sam Reich pushing contestants to the brink of madness on Game Changer or Vic Michaelis interviewing comedians disguised in wild and extravagant costumes on Very Important People, Dropout is pushing the boundaries of improvised comedy on the internet.

No doubt, if you are familiar with Dropout, you've seen these two comedians grace their myriad of shows: Jeremy Culhane and Kurt Maloney. You might also know Jeremy Culhane from the latest season of Saturday Night Live.

This year, the Dropout crew descended on SXSW, where they performed shows ranging from Lily Du and Grant O'Brien's Dirty Laundry to Jacquis Neal's Crowd Control to good old-fashioned long-form improv.

Before their big improv SXSW show at Austin City Limits Live, Culhane and Maloney came by Mashable's SXSW Say More studio to talk comedy, Jeremy's journey to Saturday Night Live, and how Dropout continues to change the game not only in comedy but in how comedy is consumed online. Be sure to check out the full episode on YouTube.

And for more on any of their shows and improv tour dates, check out Dropout.

Buying a 3D printer can change your life, but what if it could also change someone else’s? By making your printer, time, and materials available to others, you can! It’s all thanks to the MakeGood project, which helps kids with mobility issues develop strength, balance, and confidence.

While I do use Windows 11 daily on my desktop PC and most of my PC handheld collection, I don't use many native Windows apps. Some of them are simply poorly made, with a limited assortment of features, and getting a free third-party replacement isn't a choice but a necessity.

Smart plugs are probably the best smart home upgrade of them all, turning dumb old devices like lamps and fans into modern connected ones that you can automate. But they also have one dangerous limitation, which is why some devices should never be used with them.

Paramount+ quietly sits over a deep well of thrillers, cult classics, and even some niche animated fare that you need to dig your way through to find. If these kinds of shows have been on your radar but you haven't had the gusto to search, you're in luck.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, April 3, 2026:

AcrossJumped up ... or a season in the past tense?

• The answer is Sprang.

Basketball player, informally

• The answer is Hooper.

___ balloon

• The answer is Hot air.

Tumbled down ... or a season in the past tense?

• The answer is Fell.

Down"Be quiet!"

• The answer is Shh.

Sound of disappearance

• The answer is Poof.

Memorization technique based on repetition

• The answer is Rote.

"C'mon, be ___" ("Help me out")

• The answer is A pal.

Astronaut Armstrong

• The answer is Neil.

Dog's warning

• The answer is Grr.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Mini Crossword.

The best part about Netflix is that I can fit a good TV series into my weekend and watch it at my own pace. Whether that means powering through a tight eight episodes of an addictive thriller in a single night, or savoring them over a couple of days, I love how all the episodes are there to watch them however I please.

Many people find spreadsheets intimidating. The secret to overcoming this? Make it look not like a spreadsheet. Simply hiding the clutter, adding interactive menus, and using shapes makes your workbook feel like a high-end, standalone application that people actually want to use. Here's everything you need to make this happen.

PREORDER A TV, GET AN ART TV FREE: Through April 22, Hisense will give you a 55-inch Canvas art TV (a $599.99 value) when you preorder a new Hisense UR9 RGB TV between 65 and 85 inches ($3,499.99 through $5,999.99, respectively).

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense UR9 RGB Mini-LED 4K TV (65 through 85 inches) Preorder and get a free 55-inch Canvas TV Get Deal

We always see discounts on past-year TVs in the spring when the current year's flagship TVs finally hit shelves. (The proof was in the TV deals at Amazon Big Spring Sale.) But Hisense is putting a spin on the classic promo that won't make you choose between the old and new TVs: Hisense will give you a free 55-inch Canvas art TV when you preorder Hisense's new UR9 RGB TV.

The Hisense UR9 will officially start shipping on April 23. Customers who sign up to preorder theirs by April 22 will receive a redemption code for the free 55-inch Hisense Canvas. We'd call that a free $599.99 value — the 55-inch Hisense Canvas originally retails for $999.99, but it's on sale at Amazon for a record-low price of $599.99.

Just head to the Hisense website and submit your name and email, and the company will send you a unique promo code for a free CanvasTV when you purchase the Hisense UR9 RGB MiniLED TV from BestBuy.com, starting April 23. See the full terms and conditions here.

SEE ALSO: TCL QM6K mini LED review: An impressive TV between the super cheap and super expensive

How much does the Hisense UR9 cost? Here's a price breakdown by size:

• Hisense 65-inch UR9 — $3,499.99

• Hisense 75-inch UR9 — $4,999.99

• Hisense 85-inch UR9 — $5,999.99

• Hisense 100-inch UR9 — $8,999.99 (not available for the CanvasTV promo)

Those prices are definitely steep compared to other Hisense, TCL, and Samsung mini LED TVs on the market. But it's the new RGB technology that sets the UR9 apart from plain mini LED models. Compared to the only other mainstream RGB TV that has come out so far in 2026, Samsung's $29,999.99 115-inch Micro RGB TV, the Hisense UR9 feels quite practically priced.

LG and Sony announced RGB TVs at CES as well, though release dates and pricing for those are still up in the air. Still, Hisense is consistently one of the top TV brands because of its affordability. No one would be surprised if the UR9 remained one of the most budget-friendly RGB TVs of the year. (Only Hisense's own UR8 RGB TV might be cheaper.)

What is an RGB TV?

Your typical QLED or mini LED TV creates its color by filtering light from a white or blue backlight. An RGB TV skips the middleman, instead using a panel of thousands of microscopic red, green, and blue LEDs to generate color directly.

The technology is said to cover the full possible spectrum of visible colors while boosting brightness, contrast, and black levels, regardless of whether you're in a sunlit room or a dark room. Between the two TVs in this Hisense deal, the UR9 is the shoo-in for the home theater.

SEE ALSO: What to look for when buying a TV, as told through this easy TV specs guide

The CanvasTV would be a great choice for a room where you don't always want the TV to be the focal point. The Canvas TV's matte screen, teak-colored frame, and changeable digital art display turn it into makeshift wall art when it's not in use. Unlike the paid subscription required to access Samsung's art library, Hisense's art collection is free. There's a reason that the Canvas is the internet's favorite The Frame dupe.

We all have a finite amount of time on this Earth, and I cannot think of a single reason why you should spend any of yours on The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. It's not that it's the worst film I've ever seen, or even seen this year. It's that, despite its title, it is only a movie in the flimsiest, most meager sense of the word. It's a moving picture that tells a story, albeit incoherently. But more than anything, it is a tedious commercial for all things Nintendo. 

Look, I'm not going to pretend I'm above such animated ads masquerading as entertainment. I grew up in the '80s, when a barrage of animated shows and movies were launched for the sole purpose of selling fluffy toys and poseable action figures to kids. We had Care Bears, He-Man, Pound Puppies, Popples, G.I. Joe, My Little Pony, and a bunch more I can only vaguely remember as colorful, squiggly imitators. We also had the comical atrocities of the Bob Hoskins-fronted Super Mario Bros. movie and the inexplicable collision of live-action and animation that was The Super Mario Bros. Super Show. Admittedly, I — and many of my generation — hold unflagging nostalgia for this consumer-driven drivel. But we can do better. Movies could sell us junk without being junk themselves. Instead, though, we get the uninspired 2023 Super Mario Bros. Movie, which I described as "feel[ing] like one long commercial" in my review. I'd say there's even less reason for its smooth-brained sequel — except the last one made an obscene amount of money at the box office. 

So here we are. 

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie sees the rise of Bowser Jr. Kamek and Bowser Jr. in "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie." Credit: Nintendo and Illumination

After running away from boarding school, Bowser's son Bowser Jr. has somehow amassed an army of minions and a ton of incredible tech to help him kidnap Princess Rosalina. Why? Because he wants to reunite with his father, Bowser, who has been imprisoned and shrunk by the Mario Bros., and build the villain fantasy world they used to share as a bedtime story. But hey, also, Rosalina is Peach's long-lost sister, though Peach doesn't remember Rosalina. So that sister-sister thread is about princess rescuing princess, while Mario and Luigi get into action-packed hijinks where they befriend Bowser briefly, only to have him get plucked by Bowser Jr. and revert back to his bad-guy habits. And somewhere in there, screenwriter Matthew Fogel sloppily loops in a lot of other Nintendo IP, like Yoshi, Fox McCloud from Star Fox, Ukiki, and more. 

Bouncing between separate threads that follow Princess Peach and Toad, Mario and Luigi, and Bowser Jr., this "movie" has the pacing of a pinball game, and the same depth of character. Familiar figures from Mario Bros. games and other Nintendo properties will pop up with their signature sayings, themes, or props. But I refuse to call these Easter eggs, because that filmic concept has been completely annihilated. Filmmakers used to hide these details, so viewers needed to have a keen eye on rewatches to catch them. But studios and their toy-making merch partners don't want you to miss a single moment of nostalgia if it might induce a purchase. So, these allusions only count as Easter eggs if your family's tradition meant decorating eggs haphazardly and then just tossing them into the middle of a room, where a white carpet makes sure any bit of color is sure to be spotted. 

Speaking of colors…

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is an offensive eyesore.  Bowser Jr. and Bowser in "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie." Credit: Nintendo and Illumination

I don't know what my eyes did to offend directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, who also helmed the 2023 Super Mario Bros. Movie. But their revenge on my poor peepers is this movie and its onslaught of too much. 

Granted, I lament cinema's decades'-old trend of favoring green/gray color schemes that seem to regard vibrant color as an offense to good taste. But The Super Mario Galaxy Movie goes so hard in the other direction that the color palette is ocular violence. The most aggressive sequence happens in a casino, where every wall is another gaming floor. Horvath and Jelenic fill each frame with characters, props, and color on color on color. Greens and pinks and blue compete for focus as Peach gets into an argument with a surly frog man named Wart. And every frame feels overloaded like a child's sticker book. 

Perhaps this layering of sparkles and stuff is meant to excite children, to thrill young minds raised on screens, hungry for an endless fit of stimuli. But kids deserve better than this soulless parade of color and motion devoid of meaning. 

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is basically a kaleidoscope with a sales pitch. At least '80s cartoons pretended to be about something with their earnest PSA messaging. What are kids meant to learn from this movie? I can't think of a single thing. 

Chris Pratt leads a cast of shrugging voice actors.  Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) among the Ninjis in "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie." Credit: Nintendo and Illumination

The slapdash New York accent Pratt offers in this movie suggests that he once watched the trailer for My Cousin Vinny. Anya Taylor-Joy meets that level, delivering a Peach that is cheerily one-note.

The verve Charlie Day and Jack Black brought to Luigi and Bowser was one of the few undeniable joys of the first film, which offered Black's bizarre but thrilling power ballad, "Peaches." Here, they once again commit, but there's no room for a showcase of their talents. Even the surprising enthusiasm indie filmmaker Benny Safdie brings as Bowser Jr. can't find footing in this chaotic spattering of plot and conflict. 

SEE ALSO: 10 times 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' made me want to scream, for better or for worse

The movie's promo tour assures fans that Brie Larson, Donald Glover, and Glen Powell pursued their roles as Rosalina, Yoshi, and Fox McCloud out of a pure love of the game. That may be true. But it's difficult to see how that makes any difference in a movie where every character that's not Mario is treated like a cameo. 

Now, I don't hate this movie. I hate what it so nakedly stands for. With the rise of the internet and streaming, movie theaters are in a grim battle to keep audiences interested. And despite seeing such heartening box-office successes for original movies like Sinners, Weapons, and KPop Demon Hunters, we're also being served horrendously unoriginal, ugly, and uninspired trash like this. It's not meant to challenge us or thrill us. Movies like this are meant to distract us briefly from the world on fire and then urge us to buy something. It's the worst part of TikTok and Saturday morning cartoons invading theaters masquerading as cinema. Like its predecessor, it may make tons of money, but that won't make it good.

Simply put, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie could have been a cut scene. 

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is now in theaters. 

TL;DR: Live stream New York Islanders vs. Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There are a number of really interesting NHL fixtures on the schedule for this weekend, including New York Islanders vs. Philadelphia Flyers. There's not much separating these sides in the standings, so this contest is difficult to predict. The Islanders probably have the edge at home, but anything could happen in this matchup at the UBS Arena.

If you want to watch New York Islanders vs. Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is New York Islanders vs. Philadelphia Flyers?

New York Islanders vs. Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL starts at 7 p.m. ET on April 3. This fixture takes place at the UBS Arena.

How to watch New York Islanders vs. Philadelphia Flyers for free

New York Islanders vs. Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL is available to live stream for free on 9Now.

9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can unblock 9Now to live stream the NHL for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream New York Islanders vs. Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia

4. Visit 9Now

5. Watch New York Islanders vs. Philadelphia Flyers for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the NHL without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream New York Islanders vs. Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL (plus more NHL fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on 9Now, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $78.18 and includes an extra four months for free — 78% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Watch New York Islanders vs. Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Get valuable time back with this lifetime subscription to the AdGuard Family Plan, on sale now for only $15.97 (reg. $169.99) through April 12.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdGuard AdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime Subscription $15.97
$169.99 Save $154.02   Get Deal

How much time have you wasted sitting and sifting through ads on the internet? If you’d like to get some of that precious time back, it’s time to check out AdGuard. This innovative tool lets you browse the web as it was intended — ad-free — and right now, a lifetime subscription to the AdGuard Family Plan is just $15.97 through April 12 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Imagine spending time on your laptop, smartphone, or tablet without ever seeing an ad. That’s how life can be with AdGuard. This app’s advanced ad-blocking module eliminates all types of ads on your screens — from pop-ups to video ads.

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AdGuard isn’t just an ad blocker; it also boosts your online security. It hides your data and blocks trackers, and can also stop malware, phishing attempts, and cyberattacks.

If you want to share the love, this AdGuard Family Plan protects up to nine devices. It’s compatible with Android and iOS devices, so you can safeguard multiple smartphones, tablets, and computers under one roof.

Parents can take advantage of parental control features that help keep little ones safe. AdGuard can be another set of eyes, restricting access to inappropriate or adult content on little ones’ devices.

This lifetime subscription ensures you pay once and get AdGuard forever on nine devices. You’ll also get access to future updates and new features.

Secure your own lifetime subscription to the AdGuard Family Plan for only $15.97 (reg. $169.99) through April 12.

StackSocial prices subject to change.