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Taking a photo and altering it, like you can do with Adobe Photoshop, is old hat these days, as so many apps allow you to do just that. But if you’re an artist who loves to paint, this type of software can’t replicate the feel of watercolours, oils, acrylics, and pastels as they’re applied onto a canvas.

Some developers saw this as a challenge: how to replicate painting on a canvas in the digital world. Escape Motions’ Rebelle is a serious competitor in this field, and have introduced a few new features with their latest 8th version. Let’s take a look at it.

You can check out Rebelle 8 by clicking here.

Rebelle 8: Pricing & plans

• A multi-platform software package
• One-off license at a cost that won’t break the bank
• Free trial available

There’s a lot of good news for people who like to own - actually own - multi-platform software: first of, Rebelle is available for Windows and Mac users (sadly, Linux fans are all too often left out of the loop, as they are here).

Even better, there’s no option to rent the software: you purchase it with a one-time fee of $90. Which is quite reasonable for software of this caliber, especially since you’re allowed to install it on up to three computers.

There is a more advanced version, called Rebelle Pro for $150. Finally, Escape Motions offers a very generous 30-day trial so you can check out the software and see how it works for you.

You will have to create an account with them in order to access it, but all they ask is an email address - you keep your credit card details to yourself.

All in all, this feels like a very good start. Rebelle 8 available to buy from developer Escape Motions by clicking here.

• Pricing & plans: 5 / 5

Rebelle 8: Interface

(Image credit: Escape Motions // Future)

• A well-designed interface
• Familiar enough to ease you in if you’re new to Rebelle
• Different enough that there’s going to be a bit of a learning curve

If this is your first foray into Rebelle, you’ll find the interface very similar to other image editing applications. You have two sidebars, one on either side. The left one focusses on your brushes, while on the right, you have your layers, color selections, and navigational options.

The rest of the screen real estate is devoted to your canvas, but that’s not all there is to it. Hop on over to the Menubar’s Window menu to see other tools, which are available by default as floating windows.

However the interface is highly flexible, enabling you to dock these windows into either sidebar, be it as their own unique dedicated area, or sharing the space with other tools - when that happens, a small series of tabs will appear above that shared section, allowing you to switch between them.

This allows you to create a unique setup to match what you need to see as you digitally paint your projects. You’re also able to export this layout to make it easy to set up Rebelle on another computer with your customized personalised setup.

Overall, the interface is similar enough to not feel intimidating, but different enough that it will take you a few minutes to understand where everything is, and what it does. But the main takeaway is that it’s well designed, and is easy enough to understand that it won’t take you long to get the gist of it.

• Interface: 4 / 5

Rebelle 8: Tools

(Image credit: Escape Motions // Future)

• So many brushes to play with, and so many parameters to explore
• Lots of different types of canvases
• Create truly unique projects… as long as you can handle some of the quirks

The tools available are pretty much all the various brushes you can work with - and there are so many. You start with selecting the type of brush from the top left section of the interface, like an acrylic brush, or one for watercolors, inks, pastels, etc.

Beneath that is another panel, with a handful of parameters to customize how the selected brush will paint on your chosen canvas, and you could easily leave it at that, but that would be ignoring the dozens of options further down the sidebar.

For instance, the Express Oil brushes have sub-categories, such as Round, Glaze, and Flat, and if that’s not enough, a drop down menu allows you to browse through and purchase additional ones.

The options and flexibilities are immense, and it can be a lot of fun to paint digitally in that way. You also have all the advantages of working on a computer, such as having multiple layers, cloning sections, erasing others, the lot.

There were a few things I was disappointed by, the biggest one being that I could only have one project open at a time. As someone who far too often has too many ideas on the go, this felt unnecessarily restrictive to me.

Another had to do with controlling the canvas itself. I work on a laptop and use a multi-touch trackpad for everything, but even with all the options I could find disabled, that canvas would move or suddenly zoom in or out at random moments.

Thankfully there’s a handy and simple keyboard shortcut to bring it all back to the centre, filling the screen, but it got really annoying by the end. I think the lesson here is don’t use the trackpad when doing serious artistic work with Rebelle.

Also, despite using a powerful computer to test this out (a laptop with an M5 chip), I felt like sometimes I had to wait a few seconds for the software to render the stroke I made. This app needs a lot of power.

• Tools: 4 / 5

Rebelle 8: What's new?

(Image credit: Escape Motions // Future)

• No revolutionary ‘wow’ additions
• Relatively small improvements makes creative life much easier

Version 8 brings a few refinements to this software package - nothing earth shattering, but they’re welcome additions nonetheless. Here are some I felt were important to mention.

The Canvas Panel has been streamlined, making it easy to select a new type of paper and see all those you don’t yet have, but are available for purchase - you can even test this new canvas prior to acquiring it (if this constant advertisement is not your thing, use the filter options to remove those as yet un-owned canvases from the list).

On the other side of the interface are your favourite brushes. That’s nothing new. But right next to them is a new tab, featuring all the latest brushes you’ve used in your current session. This is a most welcome way to help you keep track of what you’ve been working with without you having to do anything.

When it comes to painting, there’s always been a limit to how big a brush can be. In the standard sidebar, that’s usually up to 100. Switch to the Creator Brush panel and you can now go up to 3,000 which is almost big enough to cover an entire canvas with one brush stroke.

There’s also a new Symmetry tool which essentially cuts your canvas right down the middle and everything you draw on one side is instantly mirrored on the other.

And last on my list is the ‘Line’ tool which always allowed you to easily draw parallel lines, but now lets you add perpendicular ones as well, which can save you a heck of a lot of time.

Should I buy Rebelle 8?

(Image credit: Escape Motions // Future)Buy it if...

You’re a creative who’s always loved the feel of the brush on your canvas, are looking for a way to reproduce this digitally, and love the fact you only need to pay once to own the software.

Don't buy it if...

Your creative outlet doesn’t extend to replicating how real-life brushes work in a digital environment, and you’d be much happier with the likes of Photoshop or Pixelmator Pro instead.

How I tested Rebelle 8

I fired up my trusty M5 MacBook Pro for this review of Rebelle 8. I sadly couldn’t test the software on my PC laptop - it’s high time I upgraded anyway - although it does show that Rebelle needs more oomph than a lot of other software in its category.

The minimum requirements are an Intel i7 chip with 16GB of RAM, and my PC can’t match that. Considering the computations needed to simulate how real-life paint and brushes behave, I’m not surprised at all that Rebelle 8 would need more power than Photoshop.

But on my Mac, aside from the issues I highlighted in the review, I had no complaints, and the gallery on Escape Motions’ website shows how realistic the paintings done with Rebelle can end up looking.

For more creative tools, we tested the best photo editors and the best digital art and drawing software.

Taking a photo and altering it, like you can do with Adobe Photoshop, is old hat these days, as so many apps allow you to do just that. But if you’re an artist who loves to paint, this type of software can’t replicate the feel of watercolours, oils, acrylics, and pastels as they’re applied onto a canvas.

Some developers saw this as a challenge: how to replicate painting on a canvas in the digital world. Escape Motions’ Rebelle is a serious competitor in this field, and have introduced a few new features with their latest 8th version. Let’s take a look at it.

You can check out Rebelle 8 by clicking here.

Rebelle 8: Pricing & plans

• A multi-platform software package
• One-off license at a cost that won’t break the bank
• Free trial available

There’s a lot of good news for people who like to own - actually own - multi-platform software: first of, Rebelle is available for Windows and Mac users (sadly, Linux fans are all too often left out of the loop, as they are here).

Even better, there’s no option to rent the software: you purchase it with a one-time fee of $90. Which is quite reasonable for software of this caliber, especially since you’re allowed to install it on up to three computers.

There is a more advanced version, called Rebelle Pro for $150. Finally, Escape Motions offers a very generous 30-day trial so you can check out the software and see how it works for you.

You will have to create an account with them in order to access it, but all they ask is an email address - you keep your credit card details to yourself.

All in all, this feels like a very good start. Rebelle 8 available to buy from developer Escape Motions by clicking here.

• Pricing & plans: 5 / 5

Rebelle 8: Interface

(Image credit: Escape Motions // Future)

• A well-designed interface
• Familiar enough to ease you in if you’re new to Rebelle
• Different enough that there’s going to be a bit of a learning curve

If this is your first foray into Rebelle, you’ll find the interface very similar to other image editing applications. You have two sidebars, one on either side. The left one focusses on your brushes, while on the right, you have your layers, color selections, and navigational options.

The rest of the screen real estate is devoted to your canvas, but that’s not all there is to it. Hop on over to the Menubar’s Window menu to see other tools, which are available by default as floating windows.

However the interface is highly flexible, enabling you to dock these windows into either sidebar, be it as their own unique dedicated area, or sharing the space with other tools - when that happens, a small series of tabs will appear above that shared section, allowing you to switch between them.

This allows you to create a unique setup to match what you need to see as you digitally paint your projects. You’re also able to export this layout to make it easy to set up Rebelle on another computer with your customized personalised setup.

Overall, the interface is similar enough to not feel intimidating, but different enough that it will take you a few minutes to understand where everything is, and what it does. But the main takeaway is that it’s well designed, and is easy enough to understand that it won’t take you long to get the gist of it.

• Interface: 4 / 5

Rebelle 8: Tools

(Image credit: Escape Motions // Future)

• So many brushes to play with, and so many parameters to explore
• Lots of different types of canvases
• Create truly unique projects… as long as you can handle some of the quirks

The tools available are pretty much all the various brushes you can work with - and there are so many. You start with selecting the type of brush from the top left section of the interface, like an acrylic brush, or one for watercolors, inks, pastels, etc.

Beneath that is another panel, with a handful of parameters to customize how the selected brush will paint on your chosen canvas, and you could easily leave it at that, but that would be ignoring the dozens of options further down the sidebar.

For instance, the Express Oil brushes have sub-categories, such as Round, Glaze, and Flat, and if that’s not enough, a drop down menu allows you to browse through and purchase additional ones.

The options and flexibilities are immense, and it can be a lot of fun to paint digitally in that way. You also have all the advantages of working on a computer, such as having multiple layers, cloning sections, erasing others, the lot.

There were a few things I was disappointed by, the biggest one being that I could only have one project open at a time. As someone who far too often has too many ideas on the go, this felt unnecessarily restrictive to me.

Another had to do with controlling the canvas itself. I work on a laptop and use a multi-touch trackpad for everything, but even with all the options I could find disabled, that canvas would move or suddenly zoom in or out at random moments.

Thankfully there’s a handy and simple keyboard shortcut to bring it all back to the centre, filling the screen, but it got really annoying by the end. I think the lesson here is don’t use the trackpad when doing serious artistic work with Rebelle.

Also, despite using a powerful computer to test this out (a laptop with an M5 chip), I felt like sometimes I had to wait a few seconds for the software to render the stroke I made. This app needs a lot of power.

• Tools: 4 / 5

Rebelle 8: What's new?

(Image credit: Escape Motions // Future)

• No revolutionary ‘wow’ additions
• Relatively small improvements makes creative life much easier

Version 8 brings a few refinements to this software package - nothing earth shattering, but they’re welcome additions nonetheless. Here are some I felt were important to mention.

The Canvas Panel has been streamlined, making it easy to select a new type of paper and see all those you don’t yet have, but are available for purchase - you can even test this new canvas prior to acquiring it (if this constant advertisement is not your thing, use the filter options to remove those as yet un-owned canvases from the list).

On the other side of the interface are your favourite brushes. That’s nothing new. But right next to them is a new tab, featuring all the latest brushes you’ve used in your current session. This is a most welcome way to help you keep track of what you’ve been working with without you having to do anything.

When it comes to painting, there’s always been a limit to how big a brush can be. In the standard sidebar, that’s usually up to 100. Switch to the Creator Brush panel and you can now go up to 3,000 which is almost big enough to cover an entire canvas with one brush stroke.

There’s also a new Symmetry tool which essentially cuts your canvas right down the middle and everything you draw on one side is instantly mirrored on the other.

And last on my list is the ‘Line’ tool which always allowed you to easily draw parallel lines, but now lets you add perpendicular ones as well, which can save you a heck of a lot of time.

Should I buy Rebelle 8?

(Image credit: Escape Motions // Future)Buy it if...

You’re a creative who’s always loved the feel of the brush on your canvas, are looking for a way to reproduce this digitally, and love the fact you only need to pay once to own the software.

Don't buy it if...

Your creative outlet doesn’t extend to replicating how real-life brushes work in a digital environment, and you’d be much happier with the likes of Photoshop or Pixelmator Pro instead.

How I tested Rebelle 8

I fired up my trusty M5 MacBook Pro for this review of Rebelle 8. I sadly couldn’t test the software on my PC laptop - it’s high time I upgraded anyway - although it does show that Rebelle needs more oomph than a lot of other software in its category.

The minimum requirements are an Intel i7 chip with 16GB of RAM, and my PC can’t match that. Considering the computations needed to simulate how real-life paint and brushes behave, I’m not surprised at all that Rebelle 8 would need more power than Photoshop.

But on my Mac, aside from the issues I highlighted in the review, I had no complaints, and the gallery on Escape Motions’ website shows how realistic the paintings done with Rebelle can end up looking.

For more creative tools, we tested the best photo editors and the best digital art and drawing software.

• Researchers uncover vast cybercrime ring running on computers and infected domains where outdated versions of WordPress were installed
• The StopAndProtect investigation revealed the WordPress content management system was key to the ring’s success; both the core software and third-party plugins were subverted
• Around 2,000 WordPress sites were hijacked by the cybercrime ring

Check Point Research has unearthed a global cybercrime ring that relied on a network of WordPress websites. The investigation into an operation dubbed “StopAndProtect” found a network of 5,000 infected computers around the globe, and 2,000 WordPress domains.

WordPress currently provides content management for around 43% of websites worldwide, making it the most significant CMS available. It is also the most popular website builder, and is suitable for single page websites, basic blogs, vast news sites, and even online stores.

The researchers found the crime ring had made some mistakes, which alerted them to their operation. These included screenshots and logs of victims, internal tools, and files referencing the hijacked domains. While reassuring, the StopAndProtect investigation raises questions about the security of WordPress sites.

How StopAndProtect did it

WordPress has long been a target for hackers looking for an easy way to host malware and operate botnets, with several key incidents over the course of its history. However, the CMS remains free and open source, and is easy to setup thanks to installation scripts and web builder plugins.

While StopAndProtect was initially the name given to the ransomware uncovered by Check Point Research earlier in 2026, they decided to use the name for the whole operation, as they found it doesn’t only distribute ransomware.

Check Point Research’s Eli Smadja said: “StopAndProtect shows how attackers can turn thousands of poorly maintained WordPress sites into a distributed criminal infrastructure for malware delivery, surveillance, data theft, and ransomware.”

Can any WordPress domain be hijacked?

Given the number of WordPress sites impacted by the crime ring uncovered by the investigation, and the platform’s prominence in the CMS and web builder market, the question has to be asked: is WordPress still safe?

“Based on our research findings, we urge organizations be cautious of unexpected CAPTCHA prompts that instruct them to copy, paste, or run commands, keep their devices and security software updated, and immediately leave any website that asks them to perform unusual steps outside the browser," Smadja added.

Many small businesses rely on WordPress for their public-facing web presence, and in some cases for internal purposes too. The StopAndProtect investigation highlighted a particular WordPress-driven site running a five-year-old version of the CMS, compromised by around 40 vulnerabilities.

If concerns surround WordPress, the quickest solution is to ensure the website is running the most recent version, and that the plugins are not only running as intended, but also fully updated.

Maintaining a regular WordPress update cycle can avoid sites becoming hijacked, a strategy best used in conjunction with a web host that monitors for intrusions and suspicious activity.

• Watch Springboks vs All Blacks FREE on RugbyPass TV (US)
• Unlock your stream with Surfshark (save up to 85%)
• Springboks vs All Blacks kick-off: Sat, Aug 22 at 11.10am ET / 4.10pm BST

The Springboks vs All Blacks 1st Test promises to be a cracker, as New Zealand have had a fair bit of joy at Ellis Park Stadium. They've won three of the teams' last five encounters at the high-altitude venue in Johannesburg. Dave Rennie's track record in South Africa isn't bad either.

The Boks, however, are the best in the game – even without skipper Siya Kolisi. Rassie Erasmus waited until the last moment to confirm that Kolisi and Ox Nche hadn't recovered sufficiently from respective hamstring and knee injuries to feature on Saturday. As has become customary, Pieter-Steph du Toit takes up captaincy duties.

The All Blacks tuned up with three routine victories, not least because Erasmus had gutted the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls sides that took to the field against the tourists. South Africa beat Argentina in their lone warmup game, though both sides were recently in Nations Championship 2026 action. They're the only teams with a 100% record, and New Zealand trail the Boks on points difference.

Kiwis captain Ardie Savea returns to the fold having sat each of the three warmup fixtures out, as does record try-scorer Will Jordan. Cam Roigard and Damian McKenzie have also received the all-clear to start the blockbuster opening clash.

Read on as we explain how to watch Springboks vs All Blacks for free in Rugby's Greatest Rivalry 2026.

Can you watch Springboks vs All Blacks for free?

Yes. The 1st South Africa vs New Zealand Test is being shown on free-to-air RugbyPass TV in the US.

The game will also be available to watch for free on ThreeNow in New Zealand on tape-delay at 11am NZST on Sunday.

Traveling abroad right now? You can use a VPN to watch South Africa vs New Zealand for free as if you were right at home.

Use a VPN to watch Springboks vs All Blacks live streams

A VPN is a handy piece of software that can make your device appear as if it's back in your home country and unlock your usual streaming services. The best VPN right now? We recommend Surfshark – it does everything and comes with up to 85% off.

Surfshark CHEAPEST Deal – from £1.79/month

Surfshark is our favourite cheap VPN – and it's on sale today! We use it to watch streaming services from abroad, block ads, protect from viruses, and more.

✅ Up to 85% Off Today
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Get Surfshark today and stream Springboks vs All Blacks from anywhere. View Deal

How to watch Springboks vs All Blacks live streams in the US

The opening test between the Springboks and All Blacks is available to live stream for FREE on Rugbypass TV in the US.

RugbyPass TV has live coverage of a range of international rugby, including Rugby's Greatest Rivalry and the Nations Championship, plus on-demand content including full game replays, classic matches and documentaries.

Outside of the US? Use a VPN while you're traveling away from home to unlock your stream.

How to watch Springboks vs All Blacks live streams in the UK

In the UK, Springboks vs All Blacks is being shown on Sky Sports Action.

Sky Sports packages start at £22 per month for existing Sky subscribers and rise to £35 per month for those without a Sky subscription.

You can also watch Rugby's Greatest Rivalry unfold via a NOW Sports membership that carries the Sky Sports channels.

If you're out of the UK but still want to tune in, explore the VPN route set out above, which will help you access your subscriptions from anywhere.

How to watch Springboks vs All Blacks live streams in Australia

In Australia, Springboks vs All Blacks is exclusive to Stan Sport.

Stan Sport costs AU$20/month on top of a Stan subscription, which itself starts at AU$9.99/month.

Not in Australia right now? You can simply use a VPN like Surfshark to watch the action as if you were back home.

How to watch Springboks vs All Blacks live streams in New Zealand

In New Zealand, Sky Sport NZ is showing the Springboks vs All Blacks game on the Sky Sport 1 channel.

You can access Sky Sport through satellite TV or get a live stream, with the Sky Sport Now subscription service starting at NZ$29.99 per day or NZ$59.99 per month.

However, a much better option for this game is free-to-air ThreeNow, which will air a full replay of South Africa vs New Zealand at 11am NZST on Sunday – a far more appealing prospect than a 3.10am wakeup call.

Those outside of New Zealand for any part of the RGR tour can use Surfshark to gain access to their home streaming service.

How to watch Springboks vs All Blacks live streams in South Africa

The Springboks vs All Blacks game is being shown on SuperSport in South Africa.

SuperSport is the home of live rugby in South Africa, including coverage of the Springboks and the United Rugby Championship. You'll need a DStv access package to watch the game, with prices starting at Rs99/month for the streaming version.

Abroad right now? Use a VPN to tell your device that you're back home and you'll be good to go.

How to watch Springboks vs All Blacks live streams in Canada

(Image credit: Other)

The Springboks vs All Blacks game is available to watch on Premier Sports in Canada.

A monthly pass costs CA$29.99. You'll need either the CA$79.99 six-month pass or the CA$139.99/year annual subscription to tune into the whole tournament.

If you're out of Canada but still want to catch the action, explore the VPN route set out above, which will help you access your accounts from anywhere.

Team News

South Africa: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (captain), 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche

Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Andre Esterhuizen, 21 Marco van Staden, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Manie Libbok

New Zealand: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Josh Moorby, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Ardie Savea (captain), 7 Luke Jacobson, 6 Tupou Vaa'i, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Josh Lord, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot

Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 George Bower, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Anton Segner, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Leroy Carter

What is the Springboks vs All Blacks start time?

The scheduled Springboks vs All Blacks kick-off time on Saturday, August 22 is 5.10pm SAST local time in Johannesburg, which is 8.10am PT / 11.10am ET / 4.10pm BST.

That's 1.10am AEST / 3.10am NZST on Sunday, August 23 in Australia and New Zealand.

What is the Springboks vs All Blacks head-to-head?

South Africa and New Zealand have contested 110 competitive games. The Springboks have won 43 of them, and the All Blacks 63. Four have ended all-square.

In South Africa, the head-to-head stands at 28-25-1.

Can I watch Springboks vs All Blacks on my mobile?

Of course, most broadcasters have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone's browser. For example, RugbyPass TV has a dedicated app.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

MLB catcher Jake Rogers probably didn't know if he was coming or going the last several weeks: he's been a Detroit Tiger, a Baltimore Oriole, a Boston Red Sox, and now he's a Chicago White Sox.

(Image credit: Duane Burleson/Getty Images)

Dozens of cities have canceled their contracts with Flock. Some are switching to other companies, but privacy experts say they're no better than Flock.

(Image credit: Chip Somodevilla)

Terra Kaffe Demi: two-minute review

I've reviewed a lot of coffee and espresso machines over the years, and the Terra Kaffe Demi is one of my favorites. It's dead simple to use, and the results are incredible. Before the caffeine from my morning cup of coffee hits my bloodstream, I don't have the wherewithal to weigh and grind beans, put them in a filter, set up the machine to brew, and brew the coffee. I just want my coffee and I want it fast. But I like my coffee black, so it's important that it actually taste good. The Terra Kaffe Demi Compact Fully Automatic Espresso Machine hits all the marks. Plus it looks sleek and gorgeous in my kitchen while taking up very little space.

Pour fresh whole beans into the hopper and fill the water tank. Turn the dial on the side to scroll through your options: espresso, lungo, americano, and drip. Press once to select your pick. The conical burr grinder grinds your beans just right, and then brewing begins. In just seconds, you have your drink.

This lovely slice of tech doesn't come cheap, and it doesn't have the bells and whistles of some other similarly priced machines. If you want a machine that automatically froths your milk, or has a menu with dozens or even hundreds of drink options, this isn't the one for you. You must use whole beans; there's no pre-ground coffee option. But if the four drinks offered are sufficient for you, then keep on reading.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)Terra Kaffe Demi: price and availability

• Available on several websites including Amazon
• Retails for $795 (about £590 / AU$1,100)
• Comes in four colorways

The Terra Kaffe Demi is sold on a number of websites, including Amazon, Sur La Table, Nordstrom, Seattle Coffee Gear, and Terra Kaffe's own website. It retails for $795 (about £590 / AU$1,100) or can be rented from Terra Kaffe for $39 (£30 / AU$60) per month. There are four color options: Slate (black), Cloud (pale gray-blue), Forest (dark green), and Dune (tan).

Terra Kaffe Demi: specs

Name

Terra Kaffe Demi Compact Fully Automatic Espresso Machine

Type

Automatic

Dimensions

15.7” / 39.9 cm (D)  x 7.5” / 19.1 cm (W) x 12.8” / 32.5 cm (H)

Weight

17 lbs / 7.7 kg

Brew styles

Espresso, Lungo, Americano, and Drip

Milk frother

No

Connected device

No

Terra Kaffe Demi: design

• Small footprint
• Sleek, minimalist aesthetic
• Four brew styles

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

The Terra Kaffe Demi is a compact, sleek design with a minimalist aesthetic, perfect for a modern kitchen. A dot matrix style display screen shows on the front of the machine. The left side of the machine has the power button, but you'll use that only rarely. On the right side of the machine is the simple dial that controls everything. You can scroll through the menu by twisting the dial, and select by pressing it. A long press of the dial puts the machine to sleep. On the back of the machine is a 46.5 ounce (1375 ml) water tank. The 4.6-ounce (130-gram) bean hopper sits atop the machine.

Karen Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / Future

The Terra Kaffe Demi's spout can be raised and lowered to accommodate different sizes of cups and mugs. The maximum height is 5.7" (14.5 cm), which is high enough for many travel mugs. You'll want to lower it when you brew into smaller cups in order to minimize coffee spatter.

Karen Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / Future

The menu dial on the right side of the machine controls everything. The display on the front lets you know what's going on, whether the machine is rinsing, heating up, or ready to brew. You can choose your brew: Espresso, Lungo, Americano, or Drip.

Espresso is a concentrated brew, and the default is 1.6 ounces. Lungo is a longer extraction, and the default is 2.8 ounces. Americano is espresso plus water, and the default is a 1.6-ounce espresso shot plus 2.8 ounces of water, totalling 4.4 ounces. Drip is usually made with a drip machine, but the Terra Kaffe Demi makes a brew that tastes like drip coffee by pulsating the water through the grounds rather than applying the consistent high pressure needed to make espresso. The default Drip cup size is 5.6 ounces. There's even a Hot Water option, in case you want to make tea or hot cocoa.

You can turn the dial to dig into the Menu option if you want to change the brew temperature, strength, or amount. You can also adjust the number of espresso shots in your brew. When you're deep into the menu changing the settings, just press and hold the dial for a couple of seconds to bring you back to the drink menu. Or just wait about half a minute, and it will go back by itself.

Karen Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / Future

Cleaning the Terra Kaffe Demi is pretty simple. The machine regularly rinses itself, so it's probably a good idea to keep a cup under the spout when not in use. You'll want to empty the used coffee ground "pucks" from the waste bin, give the bin a rinse, and pour out the water that's collected in the drip tray pretty regularly. I do those simple tasks pretty much every day, but if you don't drink much coffee, you could spread it out to every few days.

Karen Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / Future

Once a week, Terra Kaffe recommends that you remove the brew unit and rinse it thoroughly. That sounds like a hassle, but it's actually quite easy and takes only a few seconds. I like being able to get into a machine and get it really clean. Many automatic coffee machines don't have that option, so I wonder how gunky they are getting over time.

Karen Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / Future

Additionally, you'll need to run cleaning and descaling cycles on occasion, probably once every couple of months, depending on your usage. The machine will prompt you when you need to run those. The Terra Kaffe Demi does come with one packet each of cleaner and descaler. Once you use them, you can buy those products on their website.

There is also an internal clock, though that's not visible from the outside of the machine. It can be accessed in the settings menu. The reason for having a clock is that you can set the machine to automatically wake up, warm up, and be ready to brew at a specific time of your choosing. Warmup is pretty quick anyway, so I don't see much reason to do that, but if you're a rushing-out-the-door-every-morning sort of person, those seconds might count.

Another cool feature is that you can fully drain the machine, in case you won't be using it for a while or plan to put it into storage. Most coffee automatic coffee machines have water just sitting in the machine which ... can't be good.

• Design score: 5/5

Terra Kaffe Demi: performance

• Incredibly easy to use
• Use default brew styles or create your own
• Great results

As mentioned above, the Terra Kaffe Demi makes four different brew styles: Espresso, Americano, Lungo, and Drip. Each of them can be brewed at the default settings if you want to keep it simple. However, if you want to dig into the menu options, you can make all kinds of adjustments to each of those options. You can change the number of shots, the strength of the brew, the shot volume, and the brewing temperature. I used the default settings in my testing unless otherwise noted.

Espresso

I found the espresso quite smooth, strong, and delicious. The Terra Kaffe Demi gives it a lovely crema. I also tried brewing it over ice to make an iced coffee, which turned out great. The default shot volume is 1.6 ounces, or 50ml. The strength is "High" (.39oz/11g) and the brewing temperature is 205°F (96°C). All of those can be adjusted in the settings menu.

Karen Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureLungo

A lungo is made by brewing more water through the coffee grounds than you would for an espresso. While the same amount of coffee is used for a lungo as it would be for an espresso shot, the higher water volume makes a taller, less concentrated drink. The default Lungo is 2.8 ounces, or 83ml. Everything else is the same as the Espresso settings listed above: "High" strength (.39oz/11g) and brewing temperature of 205°F (96°C). Again, those can be adjusted in the settings menu. I thought the Lungo was very good, nice and smooth but still plenty strong. It produces a lovely crema. I also tried this one iced, which diluted it a bit much for my tastes (though it might be perfect for someone else's.)

Karen Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureAmericano

An Americano is a regular espresso shot with water added, which is different from a lungo where the extra water is brewed through the coffee grounds. Coffee connoisseurs will be able to taste a difference between extra water brewed through the grounds and extra water added after. I can't really tell, but both options are offered in case you have a preference.

The default Americano is the same 1.6-ounce (50ml) espresso shot plus 2.8 ounces (83ml) of water, totalling 4.4 ounces (130ml). The espresso is brewed with the same strength and temperature as the above cycles, and again, all of this can be adjusted in the settings menu. Frankly, all this extra water made it a bit weak for my tastes, but it was nice and smooth. Even with all the water added, the crema remained intact.

Karen Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureDrip

Technically, this is an espresso machine, so it can't make "drip coffee" the regular way. However, the Terra Kaffe makes a pretty good impression of a drip coffee by using a slower, pulsating water flow to lower the pump pressure. Continuous high pressure steam is used to make Espresso, Lungo, and Americano, but the Drip setting pauses and restarts the water flow as it brews, increasing the amount of time the water has contact with the coffee grounds.

The results were really quite tasty, though it does take longer to brew than it might with a dedicated drip machine. The default settings are actually the same as the Espresso: 1.6 ounces (50ml) shot volume, "High" (.39oz/11g) strength, and is 205°F (96°C) brewing temperature, all of which can be adjusted in the settings menu. More water is added to make Drip, so the total default volume is 5.6 ounces (166ml). It does produce a crema, which isn't expected in a drip coffee, but it works.

I fiddled around with the settings a bit, increasing the strength to "Max" and it still isn't a super strong cup of coffee. This is down to personal taste, I thought it was just strong enough but my husband thought it tasted weak.

I did put some in the fridge overnight to make iced coffee the next day. It was drinkable, but it did pick up a little bit of bitterness. The better way to make iced coffee is to use the Espresso setting (or Lungo if you like it less strong) and add ice.

Karen Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureHot Water

The Hot Water option is great for making tea or other hot beverages. The default volume is about seven ounces (200ml) and the temperature is 201°F (94°C), but of course they can be adjusted in the settings menu.

Notably, the Terra Kaffe has a separate water nozzle, so it's not pulling (potentially bitter) coffee leftovers on its way through. You won't get stale coffee notes in your tea. It's close enough to the coffee nozzle that you wouldn't notice that there are two unless you look closely.

• Performance score: 4.5/5

Should you buy the Terra Kaffe Demi?Terra Kaffe Demi score card

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

It's not cheap, but if it means you're not buying pods or hitting the coffee shop, it could save you money in the long run.

4/5

Design

The Terra Kaffe Demi has a stunning design and is super easy to use.

5/5

Performance

While it only makes four drinks, it's simple and flexible and brews tasty beverages. However, the Drip setting doesn't brew a super strong coffee.

4.5/5

Buy it if

You want a fully automatic coffee machine but you have limited space

Go from whole beans to the coffee beverage of choice with just a spin and tap of the dial. No need to do any thinking before your morning caffeine. And yet, it hardly takes up more space than a Mr. Coffee.

You want both espresso and classic drip coffee

You don't need two separate machines. Though the Terra Kaffe Demi is primarily an espresso machine, it makes both espresso and coffee (as well as a lungo or Americano).

You want a stunner on your counter

Choose which of the four colors suits you best, and you'll love the look of this sleek and minimalist machine in your kitchen.

Don't buy it if

It's too pricey for you

This type of machine is never cheap, and this one is no exception. You can factor in your savings from not running to the coffee shop or buying pods, but it's a bit of an initial outlay.

You want one-touch cappuccinos and lattes

There no milk frother included, so milk-based drinks are not on the menu. Of course you can buy a separate milk frother and froth to your heart's content, but that's another item to purchase.

You want a big cup of very strong drip coffee, not espresso

This is primarily an espresso machine, and the Espresso is plenty strong. But even on the Max setting, the Drip function brews just a medium-strength cup of coffee, to my taste. It will be likely be strong enough for most people, but not everyone.View Deal

Terra Kaffe Demi: also consider

Ninja AutoBarista Pro Fully Automatic Espresso Machine

This one is a little bit pricier than the Terra Kaffe Demi, but it does have a built-in milk frother and nearly a dozen drinks on the one-touch beverage menu. And yes, it has several dedicated iced coffee drink settings, including a "cold brew." It comes with two separate hoppers for whole beans that you can easily swap out, plus it has the option for pre-ground coffee.

Check out my Ninja AutoBarista Pro Fully Automatic Espresso Machine reviewView Deal

Terra Kaffe TK-02

Step up to the bigger Terra Kaffe sibling, the TK-02, if you want a super-automated machine with 100,000 drinks on the menu. Connect the milk container and the machine froths the milk for you. The app lets you put your favorites on the touch display screen. You can even brew your coffee with a voice command to Alexa. And there is a chute for pre-ground coffee.

Read my Terra Kaffe TK-02 review.View Deal

How I tested the Terra Kaffe Demi

I brewed and drank every drink on the menu: Espresso, Lungo, Americano, and Drip. I tried the Espresso, Lungo, and the Drip (pre-chilled) over ice. I drank many cups of my favorites, Espresso and Drip. I drank all of them black and lightly sweetened. I tried the iced coffee with frothed skim milk as well. I cleaned and emptied the waste bin and drip tray every day or two. I pulled out the brew unit and cleaned that once as well.

First reviewed July 2026

The Creality Falcon A1C is a compact, fully enclosed desktop laser engraver and a leap forward for affordable laser engraving in a format that's far safer than the open designs I often see at this price.

While it’s more affordable, with the full plastic build, it actually pulls many features from far more expensive machines, including the slightly larger Falcon A1. Designed to sit on your desktop, it measures 336 x 377 x 341 mm, giving it an incredibly compact footprint. Essentially, it's designed to be accessible and usable whenever you need it.

While the design aesthetics might not match that of some rivals' larger machines, the workflow and robust build make it an ideal option for education and small studios where you want to experiment with the technology to create items and even have small production runs.

In this review, I had access to the 10W version, and from unboxing to setup it took no longer than 10 minutes. Activation required a single push of the button on the machine, then a few steps, and it was connected to the mobile app.

On the Mac, it took a few more steps, with the wired connection needed first before you can switch over to Wi-Fi, but in both cases it's one setup, and then you don't have to revisit it later.

When it comes to use, the Falcon Design Space software is once again well laid out, as I saw with the Falcon A1 and Falcon T1, and with a few sample designs I was able to cut directly onto the paper and the basswood supplied.

I was instantly impressed with the results, starting with the basic ruler sample. I laid out five from the outset, and with an 18-minute engraving on the small sheet of 3mm ply, the results were actually incredibly impressive, with little scorching or burning, if any, visible.

After a month of using the machine on small projects, the engraving quality across a wide range of surfaces was consistently good, with the best results coming from wood and paper.

I also had to connect the A1C to the Bambu Lab air filter because I didn't have the Falcon one to use, but it worked perfectly with no issues. So if you already have an air filter, it should work without the dedicated one from Creality.

During the test, I was purely focused on that 10W laser cutting materials on that 150 x 150mm working area. There is a lower-powered option at 5W if you mainly work with paper, and also a 1.2W IR laser module, giving you even more scope for this one small machine.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

What surprises me is the price, and whilst that is slightly reflected in the design and materials used, when it comes to pure functionality, this is a level of machine for its size that you just wouldn't have had a couple of years ago. It’s far better than any of the open-frame designs still available on the market.

One thing I would watch for if you're thinking about buying the A1C: note that there are two versions, and the cheapest doesn't include the camera, and that is a major part of the ease of use for this machine.

It also cannot be upgraded, so I'd really spend that extra money to make sure you get the version with the AI camera, which is the one I’m looking at here. I'd also push and get that 10W laser. It makes a huge difference, especially if you're going to be working with wood.

Even if you start working with paper, card, and acrylic, taking that upgrade is definitely something you're going to want to do in the future.

If you just want to laser small objects, then this is an absolutely superb option at an incredible price and a really good complement to the Creality Falcon range. It will be interesting to see where the company takes laser engraving technology next.

Creality Falcon A1C: Price & availability

To me, price Creality has set is great for a small-build entry-level engraver. But in my opinion, opt for the 10W model with AI camera for maximum future-proofing.

The basic 5W Falcon AIC is $199 from Creality or $299 for the 10W model. In the UK, it's similarly priced at £199 for the 5W version and £289 for the 10W.

However, there is a version with an AI camera attached, which is definitely the model that I would go for.

The 5W Falcon A1C with AI camera is priced at $259 at Creality's store, or $379 for the 10W model. In the UK, it's £249 for the 5W AI camera version and £369 for the 10W.

I'm also seeing the models with the AI camera on sale at Amazon in the US and UK, where you can get the 5W for $259 and the 10W for $379. It's more expensive there for UK readers, with the 5W retailing for £326 and the 10W at £445 at the time of review.

Creality Falcon A1C: DesignSpecs

Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth/BLE, USB
Camera: integrated camera on AI Camera model
Unit size: 336 x 377 x 341mm
Accessories: Optional rotary kit, air purifier, flexible fixture and related engraving accessories. Laser modules supported: 5W diode / 10W diode / 1.2W IR
Engraving area: 150 x 150mm
Maximum processing height: 148mm
Maximum working speed: 15,000mm/min
Focus: Automatic
Safety: Class 1, flame detection, tilt detection and USB safety lock
Weight: 9.7kg Basic / 9.8kg AI Camera model
Software: Falcon Design Space; LightBurn compatibility
Computer support: Windows 10 or later; macOS 11 or later; mobile app also available.

The Creality Falcon A1C is an extremely compact, fully enclosed laser engraver that comes in a variety of different options. In this review, I've been looking at the 10W version, which I highly recommend because it works with the widest range of materials and is a great starting point for any hobbyist, small business, or educational facility.

Alongside the A1C, I would also recommend getting the air filter, which uses a tube connected to the vent hole at the back. In this review, I haven't got Creality's version, so I've adapted it for use with the Bambu Lab air filter, which is used with the Bambu Lab H2D.

What I really like about the A1C's design is that it’s so compact, with a footprint of only 336mm wide and 377mm deep. Essentially, it fits neatly on the workshop workbench.

While the design is fully plastic and you can really feel where Creality has pulled back on the material use to make this as affordable as it is, it's still of decent quality and, with its visor lid ensuring that you stay fully protected from any laser rays, it's also a great option if you're just getting into laser engraving and definitely a big step up from the open-frame designs.

The machine itself, while light at just under 10kg, is well designed and sturdy, so it sits firmly on the work surface and stays put as you lift and close the lid. It's also worth highlighting that there is a security USB key on the back, so if you are using this at home and don't want the kids to get close to it, or if you have other people in the office, you can remove the key for safety; without it, the machine isn't usable.

Also, on the safety features, it has all the usual knock and tilt kill switches, as well as lid-lifting alerts. It also has a large safety stop button on the side, so if you are using this in education, it essentially has everything needed to pass most safety checks. However, you will need to check with your institution to make sure it is fully in line.

Now, whilst the build is fully plastic, it's all of really decent quality, and that weight helps ensure minimal vibration from the laser as it works away inside. It also has full autofocus, although you do need to activate it through the app software. It's essentially a pin that lowers with the laser head to touch the material's surface, ensuring the laser is perfectly focused, and you get the best possible cut, engraving, or score.

The system is simple and effective, and throughout the month of testing, it was completely faultless on the small work area, as long as I always remembered to hit that autofocus button before processing.

Another major feature of the model that I've looked at is the AI camera. Now, this produces a preview of the material on the platform, and I found the exposure was a little dark; sometimes, if using a darker material, you can only just make out where it’s placed in the work area. The front section, in contrast, is always perfectly visible.

One of the big differences between this machine and many others that I've looked at, especially at this size, is that, like some 3D printers, it has a raising platform. So essentially you put your material onto the platform, and it raises depending on the height and type of object and material that it’s made from.

This means that despite it being really small, you can also get a rotary attachment that fits perfectly inside, so you can do mugs and cups.

The platform is manually adjusted with a knob on the side, letting you raise or lower it depending on what you're putting inside, or it moves automatically when using the autofocus.

As this is also a compact laser engraver with an air system, you can secure paper and other objects to the platform, and for wood and acrylic there's also the grill platform you can pop those on top of.

Whilst this still feels, in many ways, like an entry-level laser engraving platform, I'm surprised by the volume of features it includes. They've been taken from professional laser engravers, so whilst this is relatively cheap, especially with all the present offers, it actually offers a very compact professional option at an incredible price.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Creality Falcon A1C: Features

In this test, I've been looking at the Creality Falcon A1C 10W diode laser option, which is good for wood, bamboo, paper, cork, cardboard, leather, glass and fabric. There's also a 5W diode laser option available. This is of lesser power, so any ambitions to cut through materials will have to be reduced.

However, if you just want to score or engrave, then the 5W option is actually a good choice. My personal advice would be to spend that little bit extra and go for the 10W version. That way, you are at least future-proofing yourself.

There's also an optional 1.2W IR module available, which enables even more engraving options. Essentially, the diode lasers let you engrave wood, paper, and soft materials, while the IR laser is designed to engrave and mark metals.

Swapping between the heads is relatively easy and, although I didn't have the IR head to test, the process is very straightforward. A simple securing screw can be undone without tools: drop out the head, pop in the new one, and the system automatically recognises the new head and updates the software, ready for you to get started.

Another feature I really like is full autofocus: you put the material you want to engrave underneath, hit autofocus, the head touches the material, and it focuses the beam. It's a mechanical approach, but it worked incredibly well.

Speed-wise, it can engrave at up to 15,000 mm per minute, which is relatively fast for such a small laser. For most of the test, I reduced this to a more standard 6,000 mm per minute for fill and line engraving, and 450 mm per minute for line cutting. These are the default settings, but after testing above and below, I found the factory defaults were by far the best.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

One of the things I really liked on the other Falcon machines is that you use the Falcon Design Space software, which is available for Mac, PC, iOS, and Android. It's really easy to use, well thought out and gives you plenty of options.

If you want to use third-party software such as LightBurn, that's also supported, so if you're working with other laser engravers and want everything under one roof, that is possible.

For connectivity, you can connect via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB. Mobile workflows are really easy: connect through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, quickly upload, select your settings, and move on.

On the Mac/PC, using Falcon Design Space, you initially connect through USB and, once set up, you can connect through Wi-Fi, which gives you plenty of options and has proven to be a really solid way of working.

Alongside the machine, there’s a range of accessories, including the rotary engraver, which is a standard accessory for most engravers. It's great to see it here as an upgrade option. There's also the air purification accessory, which I would definitely recommend if you are thinking of buying this or, for that matter, any laser engraver.

Creality Falcon A1C: Performance

Getting started with a Falcon A1C doesn't take long. It's a small machine, so unboxing and setting it up on the desktop takes no more than five minutes. Once the packaging is removed, the power is plugged in, and the cutting surface is installed, you can lower the platform using the dial on the right-hand side of the machine so the cutting platform and material can be slipped into place.

Before I got started, I also just wanted to check the emergency stop: testing this simply involved hitting the red button. Everything shut down, and it was the usual twist to power the machine back on.

Having a stop button on the side of machines is essential. This button enables you to kill the power, so that if one of the materials that you've popped inside catches fire, you can deal with it quickly. Hit stop, and that kills the power, so you're only dealing with the fire and not the laser moving as well.

I then popped in the first piece of 3mm ply, loaded up the iOS app and quickly ran through a couple of test engraves. I was surprised by how easy it was to connect to the app and get started; it took no more than five minutes.

I then moved over to the MacBook Pro and, again, it took a couple of minutes to connect the USB cable, do a quick test card and then disconnect the Mac, at which point I could use it over Wi-Fi back in the house.

Popping in materials was all easy enough, with that dial on the side basically activating the motor so the platform raises or lowers. You can then place your material in, hit autofocus once the lid is down, and it's then primed and ready to go. Back in the Falcon software, you can activate the camera to preview the material and the design you've loaded, move it around, and you're almost ready to go.

If you've downloaded a pre-designed cutting path from the Creality site, it's very easy, as the different cuts and engraves have already been highlighted. However, if you're importing paths from your chosen software, then you'll need to select the path and allocate line cutting or engraving.

Essentially, if you import your logo and want it to be a placemat with the logo engraved, Then you want the placemat to be cut out in a disc obviously, what you need to do is select the logo as your first engraving layer and assign that as a line engrave, and set the speed to 6,000mm a minute at about 60% with a one-time pass for 3mm basswood board.

Then, for the letters, create another layer with the text, select Fill Engraving, set the speed to 6,000 mm/min and power to 60%, and run one pass. Finally, you want your logo cut out of that mat, so select a circle from the shapes, draw it around your logo, select line cutting, set the speed to 450 m/minute and power to 80% with one pass, go to Processing and wait for your placemat to be cut.

Another level of ease is that there are loads of materials present; just select the material type and a preset for that is loaded. Through this test, I used basswood ply or paper for the majority of cuts, and these materials could be selected in the presets. With the AI camera enabling you to line everything up perfectly, it was very quick and straightforward to start getting impressive results from the outset.

During the test, I found that the small 150 x 150mm work surface was a little restrictive. For example, a placemat for a mug measuring 90mm x 90mm means you can only do one at a time. Also, if you want to do anything larger, then you will need a larger machine. However, for small home projects, there’s still plenty of scope.

The camera, while useful, is also limited. Seeing the material at the top left in the preview can be difficult because of its position on the laser head and, unless you have bright lighting in the workshop, the preview can look a little dark. There’s also a stop on using the camera while the laser is in action; this is just to review the material, not to monitor the project's progress.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Checking the quality of some engraving, it's exceptionally high, with a good, accurate laser delivering outstanding results considering the size and scale of this machine.

For fine detail, as you'll see on some of the coasters, you have to be very careful about how you convert the image for laser engraving. Still, after a few runs and a little bit of experimentation, you'll settle on the best results for the material that you're using.

Likewise, when it comes to cutting, there's very little, if any, scorching, which means that if you are doing small production runs, you can quickly wipe the wood afterwards and go straight to finishing with a bit of wax, depending on what you're doing.

Overall, the performance and quality this small machine can produce are exceptionally high, and for anyone or a small business looking to get into laser engraving, this is a great starting point and will absolutely show what can be done with this technology.

Creality Falcon A1C: Final verdict

Creality Falcon A1C is an interesting machine. It’s a Class 1 laser, and interchangeable modules enable you to swap between a 5W (optional) or 10W diode laser and a 1.2W IR head (Optional), and there's plenty of flexibility in what you can do with this machine.

My one thing to point out is that there are two versions of the machine. Just make sure you're opting for the slightly more expensive one with the AI camera, which is the version I've looked at in this review. The cheaper version doesn't feature the AI camera, so positioning is a little bit trickier, and you can't preview exactly where things go.

When it comes to use, the studio software makes things easy. Although there’s still a learning process, especially with putting your cutting and engraving paths onto different layers, after a few runs it's relatively easy to work out.

If you are totally new, I highly recommend downloading some pre-made templates and seeing how they are made; it all starts to make sense pretty quickly as you click through those layers.

Whilst the machine itself is cheap, you will have to pay extra if you want to purchase many of the accessories, including the 5W diode or IR heads, but even then they're not usually expensive compared with other laser engravers. One real limitation is the 150 x 150 work area, a size I normally associate with a fibre laser, not a diode like this.

However, that small size also means you can easily sit it on a desktop. It's great for a small workshop or anyone wanting to dabble in laser engraving, as it gives you a superb idea of what larger, more expensive machines can do, and 10W in a small machine like this is still substantial enough to create some pretty impressive products.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

When it comes to cutting quality, it’s exceptionally good, and the engraving quality is, too; at this level it's well above what you would normally expect.

If you are looking for a small, compact laser engraver, this is a great place to start. I would suggest spending that little extra and buying the air filter at the same time, and if you can afford it, the rotary addition is always a worthwhile accessory.

Should you buy the Creality Falcon A1C

Value:

Excellent functions and features for a machine at this price, giving you a true taste of what laser engraving is all about

4.5

Design:

The full-plastic design has a slightly cheapish feel, but with the small footprint it fits neatly on almost any work surface

4.5

Features

The autofocus feature just makes using this laser engraver exceptionally easy, as does the fact that it's fully enclosed, perfect for beginners

4.5

Performance

A 150 x 150 work area is slightly limiting, but aside from that, if you just want to work on small items, the cutting and engraving quality is superb

4.5

Total

An extremely well-priced and feature-packed compact laser engraver for both beginners and small businesses

4.5

Buy it if...

It's your first laser engraver
If you want your first fully enclosed laser engraver but don't like the idea of an open machine, this is a superb option at this price and surprisingly feature-packed.

You work on small, personalized products
If you focus on gifts, tags, jewellery, and other small products, the 150 x 150mm work area is a huge benefit and very easy to use.View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You need a large work area
If you're making products or multiple parts, the 150 x 150 work area will be a bit small, and if you want to mass-produce, you'll definitely need something bigger.

You may need a camera later
Don't go for the cheaper model without the camera. Whilst it will save you quite a bit of money, it also makes the machine more complicated to use.View Deal

For more crafting tech, I've tested and reviewed all the best 3D printers and best laser engravers.

The United States imposed 50% tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian products early Saturday, and Canada immediately said it would retaliate, after last-ditch negotiations failed.

(Image credit: Manuel Balce Ceneta)

• A 350-ton electric mining truck just rolled off a Chinese production line
• Zijin Longking ZL230E’s battery holds 1,400 kWh, enough to power dozens of typical homes
• It charges from 10% to 90% in about 25 minutes

Zijin Longking has launched the ZL230E, a pure electric mining truck the company describes as the largest of its kind currently produced in China.

The company says the new mining rig combines heavy transport capability with a battery system designed for faster charging cycles.

Weighing 350 tons in total, with a curb weight of 120 tons and a load capacity of 230 tons, it suits ultra-large open-pit mines.

Massive battery system and heavy-duty mining performance

The ZL230E cargo box offers a stacking volume of 125m³, allowing operators to move larger quantities of materials across mine sites.

It uses a multi-axle central distributed independent drive structure with dual 800kW motors for power delivery, a system which allows the vehicle to adjust power distribution while operating on difficult terrain and steep mining routes.

Longking says the electric truck can support continuous heavy-duty work while reducing energy consumption during transportation activities.

“This new vehicle is a powerful tool designed for high-intensity continuous operations in ultra-large open-pit mines,” said Huang Wei, president of Longking.

The ZL230E relies on a 1,400 kWh battery pack, making it one of the largest battery-powered mining vehicles available with more capacity than 23 Tesla Model 3 EV units.

Zijin Longking claims that this battery supports rapid charging from 10% to 90% in 25 minutes.

Such charging capability reduces downtime and allows mining operations to maintain higher levels of equipment availability.

China expands electric mining equipment ambitions

The ZL230E includes several safety technologies designed for demanding mining environments where reliability remains essential.

Its structure uses Longking’s patented multi-ring beam high-rigidity frame design with additional control systems.

The truck also includes redundant braking, steering systems, and intelligent energy management features for safer operation.

China Construction Machinery Association president Su Zimeng said the vehicle reflects continued progress in domestic large-tonnage electric mining equipment development.

He added that the launch supports wider adoption of electric solutions across China’s off-highway mining vehicle sector.

Zijin Mining, the parent company of Longking, has expanded its electric mining truck fleet from 13 units in 2020 to 1,719 units in 2025.

The company plans to replace its fuel-powered mining trucks with electric alternatives within three years under its carbon reduction strategy.

Earlier in 2026, Longking delivered 15 pure electric mining trucks with 150-ton load capacity to Julong Copper Mine.

Those vehicles recorded daily transport volumes exceeding 2,000 tons with equipment availability above 90%.

Their transport energy consumption was reduced by more than 17% compared with similar products, according to company information.

“We are accelerating the development of new energy mining equipment through independent research and innovation,” said Xie Xiongwei, vice president of Zijin Mining and chairman of Zijin Longking.

The company plans to combine electric trucks with renewable power sources, energy storage systems, charging facilities, and swapping infrastructure.

The Microsoft Xbox Special Edition console price has leaked, revealing an unpleasantly high price.

OpenAI has a new feature that allows its AI chatbot to read your texts and write new ones.

Chatbot gibberish is annoying. But it’s also a lesson in how AI works.

• Vatn Systems will help Taiwan build AI-powered undersea drone command systems
• Neither side has revealed how much money this partnership actually involves
• Taiwan explores Vatn’s modular S12 drones for its future undersea defense needs

Vatn Systems, a United States-based defense technology company, has agreed to explore joint undersea defense projects with Taiwan's National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST).

The agreement, signed on behalf of Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense, opens a new chapter in the island's search for naval modernization partners.

It arrives at a moment when regional tensions have pushed several allied nations to rethink how undersea warfare and deterrence should actually function.

Vatn brings modular S12 drones

The Memorandum of Understanding lays out a framework for both organizations to jointly develop artificial intelligence-enabled command-and-control systems for undersea operations.

It also calls for the fielding of autonomous underwater vehicles, including Vatn's S12 AUV, a modular platform built for varied mission profiles.

According to details shared by both organizations, supply-chain and sustainment support based in Taiwan forms a third pillar of the deal.

Vatn's approach relies on a low-cost, modular design that lets its underwater drones be adjusted for specific ranges, accuracy levels, and sensor packages.

The company claims this flexibility sets it apart from legacy undersea systems that typically carry far heavier price tags and longer development timelines.

NCSIST, Taiwan's primary state-run defense research body, has increasingly sought partnerships with smaller, agile technology firms rather than only large traditional contractors.

"Taiwan is one of many allies rethinking what undersea defense looks like, and we're glad NCSIST sees Vatn as an integral part of that conversation," said Nelson Mills, Co-founder and CEO of Vatn Systems.

Funding remains unclear

Neither organization has disclosed a financial figure for the arrangement, leaving analysts uncertain about how quickly the partnership will move beyond paperwork.

Taiwan has spent years courting foreign defense suppliers as it tries to close gaps exposed by a much larger and better-funded regional rival.

Whether a single memorandum can translate into deployed hardware within Taiwan's own shipyards and sustainment facilities remains an open and unresolved question.

Mills believes that the collaboration fits within Vatn's broader strategy of deploying affordable undersea autonomy at scale for American and allied naval partners.

The company frames this deal as one exploration among several, rather than a finished contract for delivered submarines or finalized vehicle numbers.

Vatn claims other allied defense ministries have shown similar interest in its modular systems, though the details of these “interests” are not public.

The Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense has not issued its own separate statement elaborating on the scope or expected duration of the agreement.

For now, the agreement reads more as an invitation to negotiate than a guarantee of new capability reaching Taiwan's coastline anytime soon.

Its real significance may depend less on the announcement itself and more on whether follow-up contracts and funding eventually materialize.

Via SSC Subsea Cables

• Four GEEKOM A9 Mega mini PCs link together through simple USB4 cables
• Each unit runs on the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor chip
• Combined cluster memory reaches 512GB across all four connected systems

Geekom has released the DeepSeek V4 Flash model across four A9 Mega mini PCs, forming a distributed cluster aimed at enterprise AI workloads.

The setup connects the devices through USB4 rather than relying on a traditional data center server.

Each A9 Mega runs on the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 chip, which combines 16 Zen 5 CPU cores with Radeon 8060S graphics and unified memory in one compact chassis

Local processing over cloud dependence

The four-node configuration brings a combined 512GB of RAM to the task, with Ubuntu, ROCm, and DwarfStar software distributing the optimized model across the machines.

An OpenAI-compatible API links applications and AI agents to the cluster, while USB4 removes any need for a proprietary switch or server rack.

The arrangement allows organizations to keep prompts, documents, source code, and credentials within local infrastructure rather than routing them through a public cloud.

Businesses could theoretically build private knowledge assistants capable of searching contracts, manuals, and internal reports without external exposure.

For agent-based systems, Geekom says the cluster can process tools, policies, memory, and logs before executing any action, with a technical path that has operated using contexts up to 250K tokens.

Performance numbers under scrutiny

Testing reported by Geekom recorded approximately 14.61 tokens per second at single concurrency, while P95 time to first token reached about 0.42 seconds.

The company says the configuration also provides greater capacity for long prompts, rather than concentrating solely on faster short-response generation.

Users can begin with one or two A9 Mega systems before expanding the configuration to four nodes as workloads increase over time.

Each machine can operate independently, while connected systems can contribute to distributed inference when greater computing capacity becomes necessary for demanding workloads.

The A9 Mega mini PC itself supports up to 128GB of LPDDR5x memory, although four systems provide the stated 512GB cluster capacity for distributed inference workloads.

Its specifications include 120W sustained performance, dual M.2 PCIe Gen4x4 storage slots, and support for up to 8TB of RAID-configured storage.

Geekom lists the A9 Mega at $3,999 for a configuration with 128GB RAM and 2TB SSD, while the four-system cluster reaches $16,000.

The individual units also carry 126 total TOPS of combined processing output, with 120W of sustained thermal design power under load.

It also supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, dual 2.5G Ethernet, and four simultaneous 8K displays for professional environments.

The performance values above are vendor-supplied benchmarks without third-party testing - therefore, the real-world reliability of the setup for sustained enterprise use has not been independently confirmed.

Big Tech’s water guzzling to cool AI servers is serious, even if this viral ad isn’t.

A legal battle over what looks like a cartoon stick could help set the rules over whether creators can claim ownership of their AI-generated characters.

(Image credit: AFP via Getty Images)

• Apple Music will soon force artists to label their AI-generated tunes
• It follows moves from rival streaming services to limit AI music
• Some users want Apple to outright ban AI tracks from its platform

The subject of music generated by artificial intelligence (AI) has become a hot topic over the last couple of years, with the matter proving to be deeply polarizing among music lovers. Now, Apple is stepping in to enforce AI tags in Apple Music — but some users don’t think it’s going far enough.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Apple sent out emails to “industry partners” earlier this week outlining its position. Those messages made it clear that AI labels will start appearing “later this year” and won't be optional.

“Content providers will be required to include AI Transparency Tags in any instance where AI was used to create a material portion of the content, including tracks that are AI platform generated,” Apple said. “We define AI-platform-generated content as anything that is primarily derived from a generative AI service.”

This comes a few months after Apple started allowing record labels and artists to voluntarily signal that tracks were made with AI assistance through so-called ‘Transparency Tags.’ The latest update goes further, though, requiring music distributors to flag AI content so consumers know exactly what they’re getting.

AI fraud and streaming manipulation

(Image credit: TechRadar)

Apple didn’t outline how exactly it would enforce its new policy. It follows a similar move from Spotify, which revealed earlier this month that it would start labeling AI artists and would exclude them from curated and algorithmic recommendations. Rival service Tidal no longer pays uploaders if it detects that their submissions were made with AI.

Apple Music's new course of action comes amid growing disquiet over the use of AI in music creation. Popular concern over AI tracks has grown so much that tools like Detect Music have emerged to help people identify whether AI was used in the music they listen to.

Surveying social media, it’s clear that plenty of people support Apple’s move. “Good, but that took way too long,” lamented one person on Reddit. Another user wondered, “I might switch over to Apple Music once this is implemented, if there’s also an option to block AI content.”

Yet for others, Apple isn’t going far enough. “As a paying customer, you should be able to block it as a setting,” said one, while another contended that AI-generated music “shouldn’t be on the platform at all.” One Redditor was blunt, arguing that a “Better move would be to outright ban it.”

For many, the problem with AI music is a double one: feeling duped by the lack of artistry when a machine created the tracks you listen to, and concern that genuine musicians are being squeezed out as a result. Add to that the known cases of fraud and streaming manipulation that are often tied to the use of AI in music, and it’s clear that Apple felt that something had to be done.

With the proliferation of AI music-generation services like Suno and Beatoven, this is not a problem that will disappear overnight. But with AI tunes appearing to be highly unpopular — at least once they’re identified as such — Apple’s latest move could help to make a dent in their spread.

The requests target Discord accounts and a GitHub repository connected to the ongoing GTA 6 leak investigation.

• Researchers show how an expired contactless card can still complete a real purchase because the expiry date the terminal reads is not covered by its signature
• The attack needs physical possession of the discarded card and two ordinary smartphones, and results vary per bank, with Visa cards being susceptible in testing
• Existing EMV protections can detect the relay, but they are optional and were not enabled on any card or terminal tested, and neither Visa nor the notified banks have confirmed a fix is in the works

For a layman, the date printed on a credit card looks like a hard stop, but that might not always be the case.

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst found that a 'zombie card' past its expiration date can be persuaded to complete a contactless purchase at a real checkout terminal, creating a real security threat.

The irony is that it is not that EMV cryptography is not bypassed in any way, but rather that card expiry is enforced in a different way for contactless payments, as a policy check between two parties rather than as a fixed property of the card itself, and interestingly, the parties do not always know who is the one checking.

Dead plastic can still be used to pay under certain conditions

Building on the last part, a contactless transaction involves a card, a point-of-sale terminal, the merchant's bank, a card network, and the issuer. Each holds a fragment of the decision that eventually results in a successful or declined card transaction.

The EMV contactless flow is only selectively authenticated: some fields travel between the card and terminal in unencrypted text and are linked to cryptographic verification later, opening a potential attack vector for users with physical access to an expired card.

The exposure here is not that those fields can be read, since the expiry date is printed on the card anyway, but that it can be changed with relative ease. The Application Expiration Date that the terminal reads sits in the unprotected portion.

In the Visa configuration the team tested, that field is not covered by the card's digital signature and is subsequently not cryptographically bound to the expiry value the issuer sees in the online authorization request.

While this should not be the case, it opens an attack vector for a device between the card and the terminal that processes the charge by simply modifying the expiry value to one that is still valid. The issue is compounded by a second issue: cards carry an expiry date inside the digital certificate used to establish the card-to-terminal conversation, and researchers have found that the certificate outlasts the printed date on the plastic. In essence, a check that might have caught the problem is looking at a clock set further ahead.

The scope of the attack, however, is narrow: it affects Visa contactless cards only, with Mastercard, Discover, and American Express rejecting the altered expiry outright. It also requires physical access to the card and two smartphones to pull it off, making it a slightly more complex endeavor, to say the least.

The irony is that EMV does have a protection that would essentially undo such an attempt altogether: Relay Resistance Protocol, which measures timing to detect an inserted relay and can stop the transaction altogether, but it remains optional and was not enabled on any of the terminals or cards the researchers tested.

The team notified Visa and the relevant banks in May 2025 and again in December 2025, supplying a reproduction guide, transaction traces, and a video. Visa's report passed initial triage, and the company's red team was reproducing it.

However, as of publication, neither Visa nor the notified banks had confirmed a mitigation attempt, and Visa also did not respond to a press request from The Register for comment.

The underlying failure, however, is based on how payment decisions have now spread across multiple players, including chip, terminal, network, and bank architectures, all of which assume that expiry is someone else's problem, an approach that could come back to haunt them and their customers. For now, the researcher's advice remains important until a fix is rolled out: stop treating dead plastic as harmless, destroy the underlying chip, and cut through the card numbers to prevent abuse.