Duolingo is replacing hearts with energy
Duolingo is making a big change: it's moving on from hearts in favor of a new 'energy' mechanic. The idea is to switch from a system that punishes mistakes to one that's intended to feel more motivating — and a bit more gamified.
Under the old system, you'd lose a heart if you made a mistake while doing a lesson. To earn hearts back, you could do things like watch an ad, pay for a full refill using Duolingo's Gems currency, or just wait for the hearts to refresh.
Under the new system, you'll spend one unit of energy to complete an exercise, and a mistake will cost one energy. But you'll also get extra energy back at a randomized rate for completing multiple lessons right in a row. As a result, users should be able to do more lessons, and that's what's showing up in the data, Moses Wayne, a senior staff engineer at Duolingo, tells The Verge.
'We feel like this is a way that we can motivate you to focus on things you're getting right rather than penalizing for the things that you're making mistakes on,' Wayne says. He also says that 'we wanted to find a way to gamify the experience a little more.'
A full energy bar is 25 units of energy (versus five hearts). Energy regenerates over time, like hearts do, Wayne says. You can also buy more energy with Gems, and subscribers to Super Duolingo and Duolingo Max will have unlimited energy, similar to how subscribers of those tiers have unlimited hearts, according to Duolingo spokesperson Monica Earle.
Wayne points out that, under the hearts system, you could fail out of your first lesson of the day. 'In an energy world, that's really not going to happen because we're not penalizing you for mistakes anymore,' Wayne says. Duolingo's aggregate metrics show that, in general, people are able to engage 'a lot more' with Duolingo now than before.
The change is rolling out first on iOS over the next weeks and months, and the aim is to bring it to Android later this year. If you happen to play Duolingo across iOS and Android right now, your Android app will stick with hearts, while the iOS app will stick with energy; they won't sync, Wayne says.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Greg Kidd to Acquire Controlling Interest in Know Labs and Introduce Bitcoin Treasury Strategy
SEATTLE, June 06, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Know Labs, Inc. (NYSE American: KNW ("Know Labs" or the "Company"), a technology innovator specializing in non-invasive health monitoring solutions, today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Goldeneye 1995 LLC ("Buyer"), an affiliate of fintech investor, entrepreneur, and former Ripple Chief Risk Officer, Greg Kidd, to acquire a controlling interest in the Company. Upon the closing of the transaction, Mr. Kidd will become Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company. Under the terms of the agreement, the Buyer will acquire that number of shares of the Company's common stock obtained by dividing (i) the sum of 1,000 Bitcoin and a cash sum to retire existing debt, redeem outstanding preferred equity and provide additional working capital, by (ii) the per share purchase price of $0.335. The Bitcoin will be employed by the Company's treasury strategy, providing investors with significant economic exposure to this highly attractive digital asset. "I'm thrilled to deploy a Bitcoin treasury strategy with the support of a forward-looking organization like Know Labs at a time when market and regulatory conditions are particularly favorable," said Mr. Kidd. "We believe this approach will generate sustainable growth and long-term shareholder value." Mr. Kidd and his team bring deep expertise in digital assets and, with this deal, will transition their existing Bitcoin yield generation strategy to the public markets. When the Bitcoin holdings become the principal component of the Company's balance sheet, management will use the multiple of net asset value ("mNAV") metric to measure the premium (or discount) investors ascribe to the Company's market valuation relative to its Bitcoin holdings. Given a market capitalization of $128 million, the implied entry mNAV multiple is equivalent to 1.22x and the Bitcoin holdings represent 82% of the market capitalization (assuming a price of $105,000 per Bitcoin) at closing. Founder Ron Erickson will serve as President of a new division that will retain a team of scientists to continue the Company's proprietary diagnostic research. Upon the closing of the transaction, Mr. Erickson will become Vice Chairman of the Board. "Partnering with Greg Kidd marks a pivotal next chapter for Know Labs," said Mr. Erickson. "We look forward to continuing our research in non-invasive medical technology. Greg's visionary leadership positions Know Labs for a bold future." The transaction, which was unanimously approved by the Know Labs Board of Directors, is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025, following the receipt of shareholder approval and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. Advisors Cohen & Company Capital Markets ("CCM"), a division of J.V.B. Financial Group, LLC is serving as exclusive financial advisor and Lowenstein Sandler LLP is acting as legal advisor to the Buyer. Sichenzia Ross Ference Carmel LLP is acting as legal advisor to the Company. About Greg Kidd Greg Kidd is co-founder and CEO of Hard Yaka, a venture capital firm, and the majority shareholder of OCC-chartered Vast Bank. As an investor, Greg provided first money at Twitter, Square (Block), Coinbase, Robinhood, and Solana. Other early investments include Ripple, Uphold, and Brave. After working at consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton, he took his first company public on the NASDAQ in the 1990s. He later served in the payments division of the Federal Reserve and as a director at Promontory Financial Group. Greg also served as Chief Risk Officer at Ripple. Greg graduated from Brown University and earned an MBA from Yale University and an MPA in public policy from Harvard's Kennedy School. Greg Kidd was a nonpartisan 2024 candidate for Congress in Nevada's 2nd District. About Know Labs, Inc. Know Labs, Inc. is a public company whose common shares trade on the NYSE American Exchange under the stock symbol "KNW." The Company's platform technology uses spectroscopy to direct electromagnetic energy through a substance or material to capture a unique molecular signature. The technology can be integrated into a variety of wearable, mobile or bench-top form factors. This patented and patent-pending technology makes it possible to effectively identify and monitor analytes that could only previously be performed by invasive and/or expensive and time-consuming lab-based tests. The first application of the technology will be in a product marketed as a non-invasive glucose monitor. The device will provide the user with accessible and affordable real-time information on blood glucose levels. This product will require U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance prior to its introduction to the market. Other products, based upon the Company's technology may not require such FDA approval. Important Information and Where to Find it This communication relates to a proposed transaction between the Company and Buyer. In connection with this proposed transaction, the Company will file a Current Report on Form 8-K with further information regarding the terms and conditions contained in the definitive transaction agreements and a proxy statement on Schedule 14A or other documents with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). This communication is not a substitute for any proxy statement or other document that the Company may file with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF KNOW LABS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT, INCLUDING THE DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THE PROXY STATEMENT, AND OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT MAY BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of these documents, when available, and other documents filed with the SEC by the Company through the website maintained by the SEC at Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by the Company will be available free of charge on the Company's internet website at or by contacting the Company's primary investor relations contact by email at ask@ or by phone at (206) 903-1351. Participants in Solicitation Know Labs, its respective directors and certain of its respective executive officers, Buyer and Mr. Kidd may be considered participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed transaction. Information about the directors and executive officers of Know Labs, their ownership of its common stock, and transactions with related persons is set forth in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, which was filed with the SEC on November 14, 2024 (and which is available at in its proxy statement on Schedule 14A for its 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders in the sections entitled "Corporate Governance," "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" and "Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions", which was filed with the SEC on August 12, 2024 (and which is available at certain of its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and certain of its Current Reports on Form 8-K. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above. Additional information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitations and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the proxy statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available. No Offer or Solicitation This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to and shall not constitute an offer to buy or sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities, or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. Forward Looking Statements This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "project," "estimate," "expect," strategy," "future," "likely," "may,", "should," "will" and similar references to future periods. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on the current intent, beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the Company, its directors or its officers regarding the future of its business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of its control. The Company's actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. No forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future performance. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause the Company's actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: (i) fluctuations in the market price of Bitcoin and any associated unrealized gains or losses on digital assets that the Company may incur as a result of a decrease in the market price of Bitcoin below the value at which the Company's Bitcoin are carried on its balance sheet; (ii) the effect of and uncertainties related to the ongoing volatility in interest rates; (iii) the Company's ability to achieve and maintain profitability in the future; (iv) the timing to consummate the proposed transaction, (v) the risk that a condition of closing of the proposed transaction may not be satisfied or that the closing of the proposed transaction might otherwise not occur; (vi) the impact of the regulatory environment on the Company's business and complexities with compliance related to such environment including changes in securities laws or other laws or regulations; (vii) changes in the accounting treatment relating to the Company's Bitcoin holdings; (viii) the Company's ability to respond to general economic conditions; (ix) the Company's ability to manage its growth effectively and its expectations regarding the development and expansion of its business; (x) the Company's ability to access sources of capital, including debt financing and other sources of capital to finance operations and growth and (xi) other risks and uncertainties more fully detailed in the section captioned "Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, Forms 10-Q and 8-K, and other reports filed with the SEC from time to time. As a result of these matters, changes in facts, assumptions not being realized or other circumstances, the Company's actual results may differ materially from the expected results discussed in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are only made as of this date, and the Company undertakes no duty to update such information after the date of this announcement except as required under applicable law. View source version on Contacts Greg Kidd Contact:Alliance Advisorsirteamgk@ Know Labs, Inc. Contact:ask@ Ph. (206) 903-1351
CNET
23 minutes ago
- CNET
My Favorite Portable iPhone Charger Is 35% Off in All Colors
I take my phone with me wherever I go, and I'm not afraid to admit that I have come to rely on it for just about every aspect of my life -- from getting news, weather and navigation help to staying in close contact with friends, family and coworkers. That means, like many people, I live in constant fear that my iPhone's battery will die on me right when I need it most. That is, until I found the Anker 622 MagGo, which CNET ranked as the best magnetic power bank with an integrated stand and which I now take with me everywhere I go. Right now it's available with a 35% discount on Amazon. That drops the price to just $31 from the $48 list price, making this an excellent value for a major convenience. The charger comes in a variety of colors -- including white, dark gray, lavender, pale blue and pale green -- and it's pretty common to see one or two colors on sale at any given time. But the current discount applies to every option. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. Here's why I've stuck with this little charger for so long Have you seen people walk around with a loop of cable hanging from their pocket to their phone? I've been there and hooked that loop on too many chairs and table corners. Never again. The ring of magnets in the Anker 622 MagGo aligns with the MagSafe magnets in every iPhone since the iPhone 12, latching securely and charging without wires. (The notable exception is the iPhone 16E, which does not offer MagSafe but does charge wirelessly using Qi technology. The Anker 622 MagGo will charge the iPhone 16E but won't latch to it magnetically.) It's also compact -- a little backpack feeding power to the phone while you're holding it or have it stashed in a pocket, even a jeans pocket if your fit isn't too tight. Those features alone would have convinced me but the Anker 622 also includes a fold-out back flap that props up my iPhone and can also hold the phone in its wide orientation for StandBy mode. With a power adapter such as the Anker Nano Pro (not included) and a charging cable, I've taught long classes with the phone angled to help me keep track of the time without checking my watch. Essential Anker 622 MagGo specs Here's what you need to know. Battery capacity: 5,000 milliamp hours 5,000 milliamp hours Voltage: 1.55 volts 1.55 volts Output: 7.5-watt Magnetic (compatible with MagSafe-equipped devices, iPhone 12 and later) or 20-watt USB-C port. Can charge only one device at a time. 7.5-watt Magnetic (compatible with MagSafe-equipped devices, iPhone 12 and later) or 20-watt USB-C port. Can charge only one device at a time. Input: The same single USB-C is also how you recharge the device. The same single USB-C is also how you recharge the device. Size: 4.13-inch by 2.61 inches by 0.5 inch 4.13-inch by 2.61 inches by 0.5 inch Weight: 5 ounces 5 ounces Included: Magnetic battery, 60cm (23.6 inches) USB-C to USB-C cable Magnetic battery, 60cm (23.6 inches) USB-C to USB-C cable Warranty: 24 months Jeff Carlson/CNET MagSafe-compatible charging I've owned several battery chargers and each one has some sort of compromise. They're bulky. They require a cable. They charge wirelessly but don't include a magnet to keep the phone in place so it's hard to maintain that connection. There's always something. The Anker 622 is half an inch thick and snaps onto the back of my iPhone using the MagSafe-aligned magnets. I don't have to turn it on to start charging -- power flows as soon as the connection is made. Now, this isn't the highest-capacity (5,000 mAh) or fastest portable charger. That's fine. What I usually need is a way to eke out a few more hours of battery life on my iPhone. I can typically get a full top-off of my iPhone 15 Pro. The Anker 622 MagGo is smaller than an iPhone 15 Pro. Jeff Carlson/CNET Making a stand The other appealing feature of the Anker 622 MagGo for me is its built-in stand. Honestly, it doesn't look like it should work well: It's a fabric-covered set of plastic pieces that lie flush against the case, folds in two places and attaches to the back of the unit with a magnetic strip when extended. Yet I've had no problems with the stability of my iPhone 15 Pro or even the larger iPhone 15 Pro Max size. The stand on the Anker 622 MagGo slides down and adheres with a magnetic strip. Jeff Carlson/CNET This also lets me use standby mode by turning the iPhone to landscape orientation (the magnets are strong enough to hold the phone in place) when it's on a table or desk. Flip the iPhone horizontally to take advantage of StandBy mode while charging. Jeff Carlson/CNET Smart port placement matters The charger gets its juice from a single USB-C port, which is positioned on the edge of the case, not the bottom. That means you can replenish it while the stand is open -- many chargers' ports are stuck on the bottom. Having the USB-C port on the side keeps it accessible even when in its stand configuration. Jeff Carlson/CNET That USB-C port also acts as a charger for other devices when you plug in a cable, such as when your Apple Watch needs a boost. Charge other devices, such as an Apple Watch, from the Anker 622's USB-C port. Jeff Carlson/CNET How the Anker 622 MagGo compares to similar power banks Before getting the Anker 622 MagGo, I carried an Anker PowerCore III 10K Wireless, which doubles the battery capacity, includes a USB-A port and charges wirelessly but without magnets to hold the phone in place. That meant if I didn't use a cable, the phone and charger needed to be stable and level; too often I'd find the iPhone slid off its wireless perch and not charged. It's also larger and heavier. I still use it, but it's the power bank that goes into my carry-on suitcase as a backup charger. The Anker 622 MagGo is much smaller and lighter than my old reliable Anker PowerCore III 10K Wireless, which is now a solid backup. Jeff Carlson/CNET Since I've owned this Anker 622 MagGo, the company has released a few updated models. The $55 Anker 633 (currently on sale for $45) packs 10,000 mAh into a slightly thicker brick, includes a USB-A port in addition to USB-C and has a metal kickstand for resting the phone upright. You can also consider getting the chunkier Anker MagGo Power Bank that delivers 10,000 mAh and follows the same idea of compact magnetic charging and a convenient kickstand. Its main appeals are faster 15-watt magnetic charging and Qi2 compatibility, plus a small display on the side that reports the battery capacity and an estimate of the remaining battery in hours. For more smart buys, check out this amazing multitool and a portable TV that can go anywhere. And if you happen to be gift shopping, check out our roundup of the best gifts for grads, the best Father's Day gifts and the best tech gifts for anyone, anytime of year.
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Video shows Tesla robotaxi on the streets of Austin without a human driver
A Tesla robotaxi driving without a human behind the wheel has been spotted on the streets of Austin, Texas, according to a video posted on X on Tuesday and reshared by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, as the company prepares to launch a highly anticipated robotaxi service as soon as this week. The 10-second video showed the Tesla slowly turning left off an avenue in the state capital, as two pedestrians walk in a crosswalk just ahead. No one appeared to be in the driver's seat, but someone appeared to be in the front passenger's seat, while the rear windows were tinted. On the vehicle's side was a logo with the word 'Robotaxi.' The video appeared to be the first confirmation of Musk's statement last month that Tesla had begun testing cars on Austin public streets with no one in the driver's seat. Musk reshared the video Tuesday on X, writing: 'Beautifully simple design.' Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the video. The account that posted the video did not immediately respond to a request for more information. Tesla is scheduled to launch its service as soon as Thursday, according to Bloomberg News. Tesla is trying to compete with Google spinoff Waymo, which has been steadily growing its robotaxi service in four cities so far: Austin, Los Angeles, Phoenix and San Francisco. The service is similar to ride-hailing apps such as Uber or Lyft but without a human behind the wheel. A year ago, Waymo made its service available to anyone in San Francisco who has its app. Three other tech startups are testing autonomous vehicles in Austin, according to a city government website: Zoox, a subsidiary of Amazon; Volkswagen ADMT; and AVRide, a spinoff of Yandex. Tesla's service will be tiny at first, starting with possibly 10 vehicles in its first week, Musk told CNBC in an interview last month. Musk predicted Tuesday, though, that autonomous cars would soon become very common. 'The streets will change very rapidly,' he posted on X. Musk is relying on the planned robotaxi service to try to turn Tesla around. The electric automaker's sales have faltered over the past year as Musk veered into politics and supported President Donald Trump's return to the White House, angering many Tesla owners. Tesla said its profits fell 71% during the first three months of the year. Responding to a question from a user on X, Musk said that the software in the robotaxi test vehicles is new and not the same as the software in regular Tesla vehicles. He said the software 'still requires a lot of polishing.' This article was originally published on
