Entertainment
We tried Sonys new XYN headset: a game-changer for 3D content creators
Over the past few years, the market has been flooded with VR headsets, including the Meta Quest, Apple Vision Pro, and numerous other contenders, as companies race to establish themselves in the space.
At CES 2025, Sony unveiled the latest addition to this landscape — a brand-new VR headset and an entire line dedicated to spatial 3D content: Sony XYN.
What sets the Sony XYN headset apart from the competition is its focus. Unlike other VR headsets aimed at consumers for gaming or media consumption, the XYN line is designed specifically for creators working in 3D content development.
Mashable had the exclusive opportunity to preview the Sony XYN headset at CES, where it explored the headset’s cutting-edge spatial capture solutions and got a first look at the company’s latest motion capture studio.
The Sony XYN headset
Credit: Mashable
Sony already has a presence in the VR space with its PlayStation VR line, so introducing a new headset might surprise some. However, the Sony XYN headset isn’t aimed at the average consumer — it’s designed specifically for creators working with 3D spatial content.
Equipped with 4K OLED microdisplays and advanced video see-through capabilities, the XYN headset allows content creators to fully immerse themselves in 3D worlds. This makes it easier for them to interact with and manipulate 3D models in a platform optimized for spatial content development.
The headset is lightweight and comfortable, making it suitable for extended use — ideal for creators who need to work for long periods of time. However, it’s important to note that the Sony XYN is still in the prototype phase. For instance, Sony has indicated that the controllers will likely undergo a complete redesign before the final version is released.
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XYN Spatial capture
Credit: Mashable
While the Sony XYN headset certainly received attention, Sony’s XYN Spatial capture solution was the real standout at CES.
This innovative tool allows users to easily create 3D models of real-world objects. The XYN Spatial capture solution can transform those images into photorealistic 3D CG assets by simply taking a few photos with a mirrorless camera.
It was fascinating to see how seamlessly the two products — XYN headset and Spatial capture — work together. You can capture images of a physical object, convert them into a 3D model, and then interact with the model in VR, all within a streamlined workflow.
Credit: Mashable
Sony is also developing a mobile app that will allow creators to use their smartphone cameras for the same process, enabling even more flexibility and accessibility for 3D content creation.
XYN Motion Studio
Out of the three products Sony unveiled in its new XYN line, XYN Motion Studio was, without a doubt, my favorite.
Credit: Mashable
Sony already offers a motion capture product called mocopi, a set of 3D motion capture sensors that users wear on their bodies to track movement. However, Sony has taken its XYN Motion Studio a step further by offering full-fledged motion capture studio software.
The XYN Motion Studio uses 12 mocopi sensors to capture and integrate the user’s movements into a comprehensive editing suite. Creators can then fine-tune these movements and apply them to 3D models of their choice, giving them precise control over the captured animation.
Credit: Mashable
The app is designed to make motion capture more accessible, allowing content creators — whether in animation, gaming, or virtual production — to use this advanced technology without needing access to a large-scale, physical motion capture studio.
The most impressive feature of XYN Motion Studio is its ability to fill in motion gaps. For instance, if the mocopi sensors miss a specific movement in a 3D model’s running sequence, the software can intelligently generate a realistic motion based on the surrounding movements to fill the missing segment. This feature makes the motion-capture process smoother and less reliant on perfect, uninterrupted tracking.
Topics
CES
Virtual Reality
Entertainment
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Entertainment
Maddies Secret trailer reveals John Early as youve never seen him before
Comedian John Early makes his feature directorial debut with Maddie’s Secret, an offbeat homage to melodrama that he wrote and headlines as its eponymous heroine.
As an aspiring food influencer, Maddie Ralph (Early) is passionate about her cuisine. And at first glance, she’s got a picture-perfect life: a loving husband (Eric Rahill), a devoted best friend (Kate Berlant), and a job at a culinary content studio called Gourmaybe. But as the title suggests, there’s a side to Maddie she can’t stomach sharing with her loved ones. And this secret could kill her.
Out of the movie’s premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival last fall, I cheered Maddie’s Secret, writing in my review for Mashable, “The film is silly and strange, but even amid campy bits, sincere. So, you’ll laugh at its parody elements, but may well be genuinely moved by Early’s commitment to this strange and splendid film.”
I also said “John Early is a better ingénue than Sydney Sweeney,” comparing Maddie’s Secret to another earnest (but less entertaining) TIFF offering, Christy. And I stand by it.
Maddie’s Secret opens in theaters in New York on June 19, and in Los Angeles on June 26.
Entertainment
Pride is almost here! Check out the best dating apps for LGBTQ women.
We know Pride is all year round, but there is something special about the month of June. We’re not there quite yet, but if you want a main squeeze for all the parades and parties, you gotta start looking now. How about on a dating app?
As a lesbian, you probably know all about them. Lesbian Americans (along with bisexual and gay Americans) are far more likely to have ever used dating apps than straight Americans: 51 percent to 28 percent, according to the Pew Research Center.
There are a few reasons why LGBTQ people might turn to online dating more quickly than straight folks. For one, you might live in an area without a thriving LGBTQ community, and in-person dating may be hard. If you don’t know other lesbians to begin with, how can you meet more IRL to date? (Sometimes, lesbian spaces can also be co-opted by The Straights.) Unfortunately, in-person dating may also be less safe, depending on where you live.
Hookup apps for everyone
AdultFriendFinder
—
readers’ pick for casual connections
Tinder
—
top pick for finding hookups
Hinge
—
popular choice for regular meetups
Thankfully, we live in a time where we can find people like us with a few swipes. Lesbians are welcome on major dating apps, and there are also niche ones specifically for lesbians and other queer women and people. But which one to choose?
How to find the best dating apps for lesbians
Niche lesbian dating apps aren’t your only option for finding love.
Credit: Stacey Zhu / Mashable
In Mashable’s recommendations below, you’ll find both general dating apps and apps specifically for queer people. As the former appeals to the general population, you’ll find more users in these spaces. The caveat, however, is that when you swipe on other women, you might find those coupled with men who are looking for another woman to have a threesome with (aka unicorn hunters). No judgment here, but that’s probably not what you’re looking for. Then again, people of all types are on dating apps like Tinder and Hinge. You never know who you may come across.
Then there are apps specifically for the community, like HER and Lex. If you yearn for a smaller dating scene, head for these apps. While there’s no “Grindr for lesbians” — we go into why in the FAQ section — these apps are more so like stepping into your neighborhood lesbian bar than an app like Bumble.
You can also try multiple dating apps, as each one below has a free version. You can filter by the gender you identify with and are looking for, and sometimes, as with OkCupid, there are many options to choose from.
Diving into the dating pool isn’t easy, but the water’s fine. Check out our guide below for the full rundown of our recommendations and dating app reviews.
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Maddies Secret trailer reveals John Early as youve never seen him before
