IT General

The internet is reeling from the bad news of the day: The popular Mini Crossword from the New York Times is no longer free. The beloved daily word game is now locked behind a paywall.

Mashable's shopping team has discovered a great deal ($18 for a year of NY Times Games access) for those looking to pay for the Mini Crossword, as well as other games like Tiles that the NY Times just locked up, too.

However, if you're like me (read: cheap) and don't want to pay to play, I have some good news for you. There are plenty of Mini Crossword alternatives, including some pretty good ones!

If you're looking for alternatives to Mini Crosswords specifically from legacy newspaper outlets, then you're definitely in luck. A whole slew of press publications have similar Mini Crossword games on their websites. And, best of all, they're still absolutely free.

LA Times Mini Crossword Credit: LA Times

The LA Times has The Mini, a free daily miniature crossword puzzle.

The Seattle Times has a daily Mini Crossword puzzle too.

While we're talking about the west coast's offerings, SF Gate has a California Mini Crossword with clues and answers related to the Golden State.

Back on the east coast, the Boston Globe offers up a daily Mini Crossword puzzle too.

The Atlantic has its own daily Mini Crossword puzzle.

The New Yorker crossword puzzle Credit: The New Yorker

The New Yorker doesn't have a daily Mini Crossword puzzle, but they do have a free one every Thursday and Friday. Their version of the mini crossword is a bit more robust too, falling somewhere between a regular, full crossword and the popular mini ones.

If you don't require that your crossword puzzles come from a newspaper or magazine, there are plenty of websites that have Mini Crosswords and Mini Crossword-inspired original games too!

For example, this very outlet itself, Mashable, has an entire Games section, including a daily Mini Crossword puzzle, The Daily Crossword.

There are also mobile apps in the iOS and Android store, like Mini Crossword Daily, that provide daily free mini crossword puzzles.

The professional networking social media platform, LinkedIn, of all places, has a free original crossword-inspired game called Crossclimb. While it's not technically a crossword, it scratches the same itch, according to one Mashable editor.

Crossherd from Clevergoats Credit: Clevergoats

Speaking of free crossword puzzles with a spin, Clevergoats' Crossherd and Puzzmo's daily puzzle games are worth checking out, too.

Do you have a favorite free Mini Crossword puzzle game that can help others fill the hole in their morning routine (and hearts) left by the New York Times' puzzle going behind the paywall? Share it in the comments below.

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

SAVE $3,500: NFL season officially starts on Sept. 4. Before the first game, upgrade to a 100-inch TV now. Save on models from Hisense and LG and get up to 50% off. Get the Hisense 100-inch Class U8 ULED 4K TV for $3,499.99, saving $3,500 on list price.

The best 100-inch TV deals ahead of NFL kickoff Best 100-inch TV Deal Hisense 100-inch Class U8 ULED 4K TV $3,499.99 (Save $3,500) Get Deal Best LG TV Deal LG 100-inch Class 85A MiniLED 4K TV $3,999.99 (Save $1,000) Get Deal Best budget deal Hisense 100-inch Class QD6 QLED 4K TV $1,697.99 (Save $802) Get Deal

While preseason has been in full swing for a few weeks now, NFL season officially kicks off on Sept. 4. If you have all of your subscriptions set-up and have even made the investment in NFL Sunday Ticket, it's probably time to think about where you're watching. Watching online doesn't really do the games justice — you need the big screen.

Ahead of the new NFL season, there is an abundance of 100-inch TV deals, especially from Hisense. You can find TVs up to 50% off for thousands of dollars in savings. We've rounded up the best TV deals so you can watch every game in vivid 4K.

The best 100-inch TV deal for NFL kickoff Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 100-inch Class U8 ULED 4K TV $3,499.99 at Amazon
$6,999.99 Save $3,500 Get Deal Why we like it

The absolute best deal we've spotted ahead of the new NFL season is on the Hisense Class U8 MiniLED ULED 4K TV. Normally $6,999.99, this 100-inch Hisense model is down to $3,499.99. That saves $3,500 for half off a nearly $7,000 TV.

This TV is made for sports viewing. With 4K resolution powered by miniLEDs, it captures every shadow on the field. It's also a great gaming TV with a variable refresh rate of 48Hz to 165Hz. It's suitable for day and night viewing as it comes with Anti-Reflection Pro, a liquid crystal layer that minimizes glare and relflection.

Get the Hisense Class U8 MiniLED ULED 4K TV for $3,499.99, and save $3,500 on list price.

More 100-inch TV deals

• Hisense 100-inch Class U8 ULED 4K TV — $1,697.99 $2,499.99 (save $802)

• Hisense 100-inch Class QD7 QLED 4K TV — $1,699.99 $1,999.99 (save $300)

• Hisense 100-inch Class QD7 QLED 4K TV — $1,799.99 $2,999.99 (save $1,200)

• Hisense 100-inch Class U76 QLED 4K TV — $1,799.99 $1,999.99 (save $200)

• Hisense 100-inch Class U6 MiniLED 4K TV — $1,997.99 $2,599.99 (save $602)

• Hisense 100-inch Class U7 QLED 4K TV — $2,499.99 $4,999.99 (save $2,500)

• Hisense 100-inch Class U7 ULED 4K TV — $3,297.99 $2,497.99 (save $800)

• LG 100-inch Class 85A MiniLED 4K TV — $3,999.99 $4,999.99 (save $1,000)

TL;DR: Pok Pok is an educational app for kids, and right now, it’s on sale for $47.99 (reg. $250).

Opens in a new window Credit: Pok Pok Pok Pok: Lifetime Subscription $47.99
$250 Save $202.01 Get Deal

Kids see phones and tablets all around them. It’s natural to want to play with what essentially looks like a big glowing toy. The trick is to turn screen time into something that’s calming, educational, and still fun for kids. Pok Pok does that.

Pok Pok is a Montessori-inspired app designed for kids ages 2 to 8. It helps them learn, have fun, and it means you don’t have to worry about your kids finding something unsavory online. Right now, a lifetime subscription to Pok Pok is also on sale for just $47.99 (reg. $250).

Use this Pok Pok discount code

Pok Pok was designed by parents with input from child development experts. It’s intentionally simple, peaceful, and focused on helping kids learn through curiosity rather than competition.

Instead of flashy games or noisy cartoons, Pok Pok gives kids a digital toy box filled with simple, handcrafted activities. Kids can build scenes, explore numbers, match shapes, and more. The design encourages open-ended play, so there are no scores, no ads, and no pressure to win anything. Just quiet, imaginative play that supports learning in a low-stress way.

SEE ALSO: This Microsoft power couple is on sale for just $45

The app is easy for toddlers to explore on their own but stays interesting for early elementary ages, too. New toys and seasonal updates are added regularly to keep things fresh, and everything works offline. Whether you’re in a waiting room, at a restaurant, or traveling, Pok Pok offers a screen-time solution that feels more like a toy than a game.

Each account works across up to 10 devices, which makes it easy for families to share. And since there are no pop-ups or in-app purchases, kids won’t be clicking on anything they shouldn’t.

Use code DROP20 to get a Pok Pok Lifetime Subscription on sale for $47.99. Sale ends Sept. 7 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: This new, open-box ASUS Chromebook CM30 (2024) is a detachable 2-in-1 with touchscreen, stylus, and all-day battery — yours for just $169.99 with free shipping.

Opens in a new window Credit: ASUS ASUS Chromebook CM30 (2024) $169.99
$329.99 Save $160 Get Deal

Sometimes, your laptop is all business. Other times, you just want a tablet you can curl up with on the couch. The ASUS Chromebook CM30 lets you do both without juggling multiple devices — or blowing your budget. At just $169.99 (reg. $329.99) with free shipping, this 2-in-1 detachable Chromebook is designed to adapt to whatever your day throws at you.

Pop on the full-size magnetic keyboard when it’s time to tackle emails, spreadsheets, or writing projects. Detach it, and suddenly you’re swiping through a bright 10.5″ WUXGA touchscreen in tablet mode. The included garaged push-pop stylus (that charges quickly and stores neatly inside the device) makes notes, sketches, and signatures feel effortless.

SEE ALSO: Labor Day 2025 deals are already live: Save on Apple devices, mattresses, headphones, and plenty more

It’s powered by a MediaTek Kompanio 520 processor, with 8GB RAM and 128GB eMMC storage — plenty for multitasking, video calls, or streaming. Add in Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, and you’re looking at seamless connections at home, school, or on the go.

And because a device this portable needs to keep up with you, the CM30 delivers up to 12 hours of battery life. Whether you’re working from a coffee shop or catching up on a flight, you’ll get through the day without scrambling for an outlet.

Durability matters, too. This Chromebook sports a military-grade aluminum chassis with 30 percent recycled materials — lightweight but tough enough to survive life in a backpack. Dual 5MP front and rear cameras make video calls and quick snaps easy, and the included stand cover keeps everything secure whether you’re typing or swiping.

A new, open-box item is a product that has never been used but may have been removed from its original packaging for display, inspection, or return, so you get essentially new condition at a lower price. Oh, and since it’s ChromeOS, you’ll enjoy fast boot-ups, automatic updates, and easy access to your favorite apps.

Get this 2-in-1 ASUS Chromebook CM30 while it’s $169.99 (reg. $329.99) with free shipping.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

A mystery AI image editor named "nano banana" recently rose to the top of LMArena, the most popular AI leaderboard. The model easily bested its opponents in the arena, which lets users test AI models head-to-head. Now, Google DeepMind has revealed that nano banana is actually the alias for Gemini 2.5 Flash Image.

Before the big reveal, Googlers did drop some hints:

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Now that the model has been officially rolled out, Google DeepMind said that Gemini will be better at editing your images. Products like this move us a step closer to a post-Photoshop world. Instead of learning the technical ins and outs of photo editing software, which can take years to master, AI image editors will make it possible for anyone to edit an image with just a few simple voice or text prompts — in theory.

The Google DeepMind team says this model has been trained to make subjects more consistent across various edits of AI-generated images. This has been an issue for AI image models, given their unpredictable nature. I tried out the new "nano banana" model for myself, and it worked... fine.

SEE ALSO: Apple eyes Google Gemini for Siri upgrade

The ability to upload and natively edit photos in Gemini has been around since April of this year. With Gemini's updated model, Google says you can do things like change a subject's outfit and location, while keeping their likeness the same.

You can also upload multiple photos and have the subjects appear together in the same photo, or add and alter specific details in an uploaded image to, say, see what a room looks like with a different color of paint or different furniture.

Here's Gemini's attempt at editing my dog into the downward dog pose and relocating her to a yoga studio. Her likeness is the same, and it successfully edited the image to make her eyes open, but her body isn't arched in the way it should be. (I would know, I've seen this playful pose from her many times.)

Here's my dog Lola, not doing yoga Credit: Mashable Here's the Gemini-edited version when I prompted it to open her eyes, put her in the downward dog pose, and change the background to a yoga studio. It's close, but not quite right. Credit: Mashable

As Google DeepMind said in its announcement, the model might not always get it right. There might still be inaccuracies with fine details, text in the image, and inconsistencies. With my experiment, my dog's fur looks overly smooth, but her overall coloring, size, and shape stay the same. All images have a visible watermark and an invisible watermark called SynthID to mitigate any confusion over whether they're real or AI-generated. This update is now live, so you can try it out for yourself in the Gemini app.

CRT display technology still has a lot of benefits over even the best current flat-panel displays, which means that CRT TVs are often the best way to experience retro games. However, big and bulky CRT TVs are not the only way to access CRT technology for retro gaming.

A lot of fiction seems to be written by people who can see the future. It happens in sci-fi novels all the time, but there are plenty of movies that have turned out to be pretty prophetic too.

Want to watch college football this season? Here are your best options: BEST FOR ESPN ESPN Unlimited $29.99 per month for 1 year (save $15) Shop Now Best for Fox and Big Ten Fox One 7-day free trial, then $199.99 per year (save $39.89) Shop Now BEST FOR SINGLE GAME FuboTV 7-day free trial, then $54.99/month for 1 month (save $30) Get Deal Best for channels Hulu + Live TV 3-day free trial, then $76.99/month Shop Now Best for affordability Sling Season Pass $329 for 5 months (save $50.95) Shop Now BEST for INTRODUCTORY OFFER YouTube TV 5-day free trial, then $49.99/month for 3 months (save $99) Shop Now

College football is back with a massive bang. We've already been treated to a number of fascinating matchups, including Kansas State vs. Iowa State, Kansas vs. Fresno State, and Hawai'i vs. Stanford. That was a strong start, but Week 1 promises so much more. It's going to be difficult to find the time to watch everything, but we're sure you can find a moment to catch the opening game of the round: Boise State vs. South Florida

Boise State Broncos are favorites heading into this game, but the South Florida Bulls will believe that they can cause an upset.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the NFL online for free

If you want to watch Boise State vs. South Florida for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Boise State vs. South Florida?

Boise State vs. South Florida takes place at 5:30 p.m. ET on Aug. 28. This game takes place at the Raymond James Stadium.

How to watch Boise State vs. South Florida for free

Boise State vs. South Florida is broadcast on ESPN. Fans can live stream this game on a wide range of recommended services, some of which include free trials so you can follow the action without actually spending anything.

ESPN Unlimited (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: ESPN ESPN Unlimited $29.99 per month for 1 year Shop Now

Channels: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, ESPN3, SECN+, and ACCNX

ESPN Unlimited provides access to everything that ESPN has to offer. For college football, you get live access to games on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+, SEC Network, SECN+, ACC Network, and ABC. The Unlimited plan will set you back $29.99 per month, but for the first year, new subscribers can secure a bundle with Disney+ and Hulu for the same price.

Fox One (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Fox One Fox One 7-day free trial, then $199.99 per year Shop Now

Channels: Fox, FS1, FS2, Big Ten Network

Fox One provides access to live broadcasts on Fox, Fox Sports, FS1, FS2, and Big Ten Network. It costs $19.99 per month, but you can save $40 by opting for the annual plan at $199.99. You can also start with a seven-day free trial, so you've got the chance to watch select games without spending anything.

FuboTV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV 7-day free trial, then $54.99/month for 1 month Shop Now

Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NBCSN, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network, and The CW

FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and provides the opportunity to watch on 10 screens at once, if that's your thing. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period. 

Fubo takes sports seriously, and that's something we appreciate. With the Pro subscription, you get access to most college football broadcasts. But hardcore fans may want to consider upgrading to the Elite plan, which unlocks access to ESPNU, SEC Network, Pac-12 Network, and ACC Network. Either way, we suggest you test the waters for seven days before you make any sort of commitment.

Hulu + Live TV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu + Live TV 3-day free trial, then $76.99/month Shop Now

Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, and The CW

Hulu + Live TV is not exactly cheap, but it does offer good bang for your buck. You need to cough up $76.99 per month (after a three-day trial), but you get access to over 95 live TV channels, plus Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ (all with ads). The included access to ESPN+ provides bonus access to even more college football games on top of live TV networks like ABC, FOX, ESPN, The CW, ACC Network, and more. Now that's value.

Sling (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Season Pass $329 for 5 months Shop Now

Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network

Sling is a comprehensive sporting service that offers a whole host of benefits, but you do need to be careful when selecting a plan. The Orange and Blue packages give you access to FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN, and more in local markets, but for access to ACC Network, SEC Network, Big Ten Network, and more, you'll need the Sports Extra package. We recommend checking your local market to ensure you get access to the channels you actually need.

YouTube TV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV 7-day free trial, then $49.99/month for your first 3 months Shop Now

Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, NBCSN, SEC Network, and The CW

YouTube TV provides access to over 100 live channels. Newsflash: that's a lot. This huge list includes most of the channels you actually need to watch live college football, including NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, and ESPN, plus networks like FS1 and SEC Network. YouTube TV also offers that all-important free trial so you can watch select games without spending anything.

How to watch Boise State vs. South Florida from anywhere in the world

If you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to unblock your favorite streaming service. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S., meaning you can unblock live streams of college football from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Boise State vs. South Florida from anywhere in the world 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 the U.S.

4. Sign in to your favorite streaming service

5. Watch Boise State vs. South Florida from anywhere in the world

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

• Servers in 105 countries including the U.S.

• 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 eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% 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 $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

I’ve always considered myself a somewhat healthy person, especially after I gave up smoking and vaping a few years ago. Unfortunately, that proved incorrect.

That angry green bird just might get angrier.

Google is using Gemini AI to increase the power of Google Translate. Now, Translate allows users to practice new languages by creating personalized listening and speaking practice sessions in their preferred language. Sounds a little bit like Duolingo without its iconic mascot.

"Whether you're an early learner looking to begin practicing conversation or an advanced speaker looking to brush up on vocabulary for an upcoming trip, Translate can now create tailored listening and speaking practice sessions just for you," Matt Sheets, a product manager at Google, wrote in a blog post on Tuesday. "These interactive practices are generated on-the-fly and intelligently adapt to your skill level."

SEE ALSO: Google and Duolingo think AI can change the way we learn languages. Are they right?

It's pretty simple to get started. Open the Google Translate app, select "practice," set your skill level and goals, and voila! Translate will create a scenario specifically for you.

"In each scenario, you can either listen to conversations and tap the words you hear to build comprehension, or you can practice speaking with helpful hints available when you need them," Sheets wrote. Google Translate will track your progress with each lesson.

"Following positive feedback from early testers, we're excited to start rolling out this beta experience more broadly in the Translate app for Android and iOS this week," the blog reads. "It's available first for English speakers practicing Spanish and French, as well as for Spanish, French and Portuguese speakers practicing English."

Google also announced other updates to its language learning tools, like real-time translations in the Translate app. All of these updates come from Google's AI and machine learning, which it says have helped the company to make "huge strides in translation quality, multimodal translation, and text-to-speech (TTS) capabilities."

"Every month, people translate around 1 trillion words across Google Translate, Search and in visual translations in Lens and Circle to Search," Sheets wrote. "Now, thanks to AI, we're making it even more effortless to overcome language barriers."

Instapaper has finally moved forward with the new partnership with Rakuten Kobo that brings its read-it-later service to all Kobo eReaders. This integration comes after Kobo's previous partnership with Pocket ended unexpectedly, but it's a huge win for anyone who saves web articles for distraction-free reading.

Firefox has some neat features that you not have noticed because this browser does more than people give it credit for. Here are a few I always find useful.

If you're a die-hard sports fan looking for ways to stream all your favorite teams, Fubo TV announced a new "skinny" sports package worth considering. At $56 per month, I don't know if skinny is the right word, but it's packed with all the essential channels you'll need for the NFL, NCAAF, and countless other sports as we head into football season.

Forty percent. That's how much Tesla's European sales declined in July compared to the year before.

The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), the lobbying group for the automobile industry in the EU, released new data on Thursday showing that Tesla, led by Elon Musk, is continuing to face a steep decline in sales.

In total, just 8,837 Tesla vehicles were registered across Europe in July 2025. That figure includes the European Union, as well as the United Kingdom, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

Furthermore, Tesla's drop in sales is not the result of a broader decline across the larger EV market either. In fact, sales of electric vehicles as a whole actually went up in the EU. For example, Tesla's biggest Chinese rival BYD saw 13,503 new vehicle registrations in July. That's a monthly surge of 225 percent compared to the year before, as CNBC reported.

This also marks Tesla's seventh month in a row of declining sales.

Tesla has also seen declining sales in the United States so far in 2025, though the impending end of the EV tax credit has given EV makers a temporary boost over the summer.

No end in sight for Tesla's woes

Tesla's sales issues began shortly Musk's involvement in the President Donald Trump administration and its Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk has also been involved in other costly controversies, including his support for a far-right party in Germany.

In fact, in the month after Musk supported the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, Tesla recorded fewer than 900 sales in Germany — a nearly 50 percent drop.

In July, amid declining sales, Tesla also stopped allowing EU customers to configure and order some of its car models, such as the Model S and X. And, in the U.S., Tesla owners have flooded the market with used Tesla vehicles.

Under increasing pressure, Musk announced in May that he was stepping away from his role with the Trump administration, but Tesla's sales problems have continued.

On top of that, the president's Big Beautiful Bill will see the end of a vital source of Tesla's revenue: Carbon credits.

Over the past decade, these regulatory credits have accounted for a whopping $11.8 billion in revenue for Tesla.

Finally, the federal EV tax credit will expire on Sept. 30, which will immediately make electric vehicles more expensive for U.S. shoppers.

Typepad is a name you probably haven't heard in a very, very long time, but it was surprisingly still alive—it wasn't exactly kicking, but it was alive by most definitions of the word. Now, though, it's getting the cord pulled after years of being essentially in life support.

If you’ve spent any time coding in Java, you know the IDE you choose can make or break your workflow. Over the years, I’ve tried just about every major Java IDE and editor out there. They all have their strengths, but for me, one stands head and shoulders above the rest. It's IntelliJ IDEA.

Tracfone Wireless, one of Verizon’s prepaid mobile networks, just revealed its first unlimited data plan. The new ‘Tracfone Freedom’ option is a compelling option for affordable 5G service, but you should still check out the competition.

KPop Demon Hunters fans, rejoice. The surprise musical hit with the addictive soundtrack might be getting a sequel.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Sony Pictures and Netflix are discussing a follow-up to the animated film that features a K-pop trio called HUNTR/X battling demons, including the alluring boy band, the Saja Boys.

The KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack, which features K-pop bops like "Golden," "Your Idol," and "Soda Pop," has also become massively popular, beating out Wicked to become the highest-charting soundtrack of 2025. "Golden" currently has over 430 million plays on Spotify. As of this week, KPop Demon Hunters became the most-watched Netflix original movie ever, with a total of 236 million views since its June 20 release.

Fueled by the fandom, the streaming service offered the theatrical release of  KPop Demon Hunters: A Sing-Along Event in 1,000 theaters across North America, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. The two-day event quickly sold out, making it the unofficial box office winner that weekend.

SEE ALSO: 5 takeaways from 'KPop Demon Hunters' sing-along experience

Studios increasingly rely on movies based on preexisting intellectual property (IP), churning out sequels, prequels, and spinoffs of familiar franchises as safe bets for return on their investments through ticket sales and merchandise. The success of KPop Demon Hunters came as a surprise to many, since it's an original story, without any major stars or previous IP with a built-in fanbase to rely on.

But true K-pop fans like Mashable culture editor Crystal Bell anticipated this fandom has the power to create a phenomenon when done right. Bell interviewed the Demon Hunters team to deconstruct how they crafted hit K-pop songs while telling a cohesive narrative. It's worth a read to see how they pulled it off.

Meanwhile, it's up to Netflix and Sony to negotiate some kind of agreement for a sequel. Sony struck a deal with Netflix in 2021, early on in the pandemic when box office sales were down, to distribute Demon Hunters and other films on the streaming platform. Sony gets a cut of the soundtrack sales, but Netflix owns the merchandise, THR explained. Here's hoping they can work something out.

KPop Demon Hunters is now streaming on Netflix.

Right now, you can get the amazing Alienware OLED Gaming Monitor for a huge 35% off its usual price. This brings the cost down to just $586.15 on Amazon from its original $899.99. This monitor's discount stands out thanks to Alienware's fast 360Hz refresh rate.

SAVE $3,500: As of Aug. 28, get the 100-inch Hisense Class U8 Mini-LED TV at Amazon for $3,499.99, down from its usual price of $6,999.99. That's a discount of 50% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 100-inch Hisense Class U8 Mini-LED TV $3,499.99 at Amazon
$6,999.99 Save $3,500 Get Deal

Getting ready for the big games this football season? Or maybe you just want to install a bigger TV so you and your family can enjoy your favorite TV shows and movies at home. You can score some big savings on a massive Hisense TV right now, thanks to a deal at Amazon that brings it down to the lowest price we've seen.

As of Aug. 28, get the 100-inch Hisense Class U8 Mini-LED TV at Amazon for $3,499.99, down from its usual price of $6,999.99. That's a 50% discount.

SEE ALSO: Samsung's 55-Inch QLED Q8F 4K TV is down to its best-ever price at Amazon

This is a mammoth TV that you'll definitely have to make some room for. It's one of the most affordable that you'll find in this size range, too. It has a QLED display with up to 5,000 nits of brightness as well as an anti-reflection coating to cut down on glare. It also has a 165Hz refresh rate, which makes it a great candidate for gaming, and built-in Google TV to make sure you can access all your favorite apps and content.

It's a giant TV, so you'll want to make sure you have somewhere sturdy to mount it or somewhere that can withstand its 140-pound weight; it's not exactly light. But its relatively slim profile makes it easier to deal with than other TVs in higher price brackets.

If you're ready to upgrade to what may be your biggest (and best) TV yet, don't miss this massive price cut.