Latest news with #DuotheOwl
Time Magazine
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time Magazine
TIME100 Most Influential Companies 2025: Duolingo
In early 2025, Duolingo announced that its mascot was murdered—and then, two weeks later, revealed that Duo the Owl faked its own death as a ploy to get users to complete their daily language lessons. The green bird sure knows how to build buzz, helping to turn an educational app into a cultural phenomenon. "We're competing for those five minutes of your time you may spend on TikTok or Instagram," says Chief Marketing Officer Manu Orssaud. The company's bold and playful approach to brand-building has fueled its rapid growth: Duolingo more than doubled its monthly active users from 2022 to 2024, when it amassed more than 130 million and saw revenue rise around 40% year-over-year. A tongue-in-cheek cameo in Barbie (where the doofy husband learns Spanish on Duolingo) and a strategic partnership with Netflix's Squid Game titled 'Learn Korean or Else' helped power growth; the company monitors music, TV, and social media to identify emerging language interests. But the marketing would be useless without a great product, says Orssaud: "We want our product to be so delightful and satisfying that you want to play it every day.'
USA Today
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Duolingo adds chess to educational offers. Here's what to know about new, free course
Duolingo adds chess to educational offers. Here's what to know about new, free course The new course is Duolingo's first since its music and math courses were released in 2023. Show Caption Hide Caption Duolingo mascot, Duo the Owl, dupes his death The death of Duolingo's beloved mascot, Duo the Owl, was part of a campaign to see which countries could earn the most experience points to save Duo. Duolingo launched a beta version of a chess course on Tuesday, April 22. The new, free course teaches users how each chess piece moves through short puzzles, lead by the app's in-game chess coach Oscar. The course is available to a limited number of English Apple product users. The full game will be available to more users in the coming weeks. Duolingo is broadening its horizons, adding a chess course to its educational repertoire. The language-learning app, known for its feisty owl mascot, launched an initial version of a chess course for English users with Apple devices on April 22. The course teaches users how to play chess, from how each piece moves to planning a winning strategy. The course is Duolingo's first since its music and math courses were released in 2023. Here's what to know about Duolingo's new chess course. What does Duolingo's chess course teach? Duolingo's new chess course starts at ground one, teaching users how each piece moves. Users will then learn how to spot tactical patterns and build a winning strategy, a news release states. Most lessons will focus on solving short puzzles, which users can apply in "mini matches" or full games against the app's in-game chess coach Oscar, described as a high school art teacher. When will Duolingo's chess course be available? Duolingo released a limited beta version of its chess course on Tuesday, April 22. The full course will be available to English users with Apple devices in the coming weeks, the release states. Support for additional operating systems and languages is planned for the months ahead. Is Duolingo's chess course free? Yes, Duolingo's new chess course is free. What is Duolingo? Duolingo is a language-learning mobile app that uses game-like lessons to teach more than 40 languages, mathematics and music. The app, available on Apple and Android devices, launched in 2011. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@
Express Tribune
25-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Duolingo mascot Duo resurrected after Cybertruck ‘death' in viral marketing stunt
Duolingo's beloved mascot, Duo the Owl, is back from the dead after a viral marketing campaign that saw the language-learning app stage his "death" by Tesla Cybertruck. The company revived the green owl on February 24, posting a video of a person in a Duo costume dramatically emerging from a coffin with the caption, 'Y'all really think I'd let a Cybertruck take me out?' The marketing stunt began after the Super Bowl when Duolingo first hinted at Duo's demise, joking that he had "many enemies" and had likely "died waiting for you to do your lesson." The company then staged an elaborate online memorial, selling Duo plushies in coffin-shaped boxes and urging users to take language lessons to "revive" him. The staged death, which featured a TikTok video showing Duo getting hit by a Tesla Cybertruck, quickly went viral. The internet exploded with memes, with brands like Netflix, Baskin Robbins, and Cheez-Its joining the conversation. Even pop star Dua Lipa played along, posting, "Til' death Duo part" with a broken-heart emoji, referencing her past collaboration with the mascot. Duolingo later updated its site with stats showing which countries contributed the most experience points (XP) to revive Duo, with the U.S. leading. The company teased that more details about the stunt will be revealed soon, keeping fans engaged in the ongoing narrative.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Duo the Duolingo Owl May Be Dead, But These 5 Language-Learning Apps Aren't (& They're on Major Sale RN!)
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SheKnows may receive an affiliate commission. The language-learning app Duolingo announced on Feb 11 that its make-believe mascot, Duo the Owl, mysteriously died; and the internet has been trying to figure it out. More from SheKnows Estheticians Who Are 'Very Picky About Products' Use This $15 Rose Gold Peel for 'Smooth Skin & a Nice Glow' Today's Top Deals Target's New Fall Collection Just Dropped & Several Items Are on Sale This Portable Power Station Is Perfect for Fall Camping & It's Nearly 50% Off Gobble Is Offering $100 Off Your Next 4 Meal Kits That day, a Duolingo spokesperson said in a statement on Instagram, saying: 'It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved mascot, Duo the Owl. For years, he tirelessly reminded millions to do their language lessons − sometimes with gentle nudges, sometimes with sheer, unhinged persistence. But even the most relentless of birds can only take so much.' They then left a few jokes underneath, but the announcement has everyone wondering: What is going on with Duolingo? This news comes after they laid off around 10 percent of its contract workers amid the AI-based layout change, per CNN. So, after that, everyone is wondering about the world of language-learning apps. Trust us, there are a lot more language-learning apps out there than you may think, and we rounded up the top five. Keep in mind that all of these have a free version or free trial, but many of them have major sales going on for the monthly, quarterly, and lifetime options. Buy Now $93-$239 Babbel is a user-friendly language-learning app that helps users learn a language fast and comprehensively. While there are only a little over a dozen languages available to learn, you can learn them so fully, thanks to the lessons that work for all types of learners! Plus, you can get a look into the country's culture and popular a very limited time, you can get up to 60 percent off for their Valentine's Day sale. Buy the lifetime subscription $80 With over 50 languages available, Drops is a colorful, easy-to-learn language app that lays it all out for you. If you're a visual learner, this is the perfect app for you since it's image-based. It's a great app to keep you focused, especially with the vocabulary builder and repetitive lessons. Until Friday, you can get up to 50 percent off on all plans. Buy 6-month plan $60 If you're all about the goals, then Busuu is for you. With an array of languages to learn, ranging from French to Polish, you can set so many goals along the way to make the best language-learning experience for you. It helps you determine how advanced you are with the language you choose, why you want to learn it, and how advanced you want to become. Plus, it's filled with helpful vocabulary tips. Buy Now $115 Mondly is essential for trying to understand all there is to a language, specifically understanding slang and phrases to a tee. With 41 languages available, it'll teach you the language you want with regular quizzes and challenges. However, if you're a stickler for grammar, this one glosses over a bit of the next 12 hours, you can get the lifetime access for 65 percent off. Buy Now $60-180 With over two million members, Rocket Languages has so many ways to practice the new language you're learning. It's perfect for those who want to learn visually, audibly, and more. You can have lifetime access to your course, and with all the modules, you'll learn a new language in no time!More Top Deals from SheKnows Is Walmart+ Worth It? Ring Doorbells Are 40% Off Today on Amazon Keurig Machines Are Up to 60% Off Today on Amazon Best of SheKnows 7 Best Places to Shop for Cat Toys Online After Researching Extensively, These Are the Best Online Flower Delivery Services Affordable Lookalikes of the Clinique Black Honey Lipstick, According to TikTok
USA Today
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Duolingo's make-believe owl mascot Duo dies by Cybertruck in new TikTok
After hours of nail-biting agony, Duolingo users finally have answers to how the brand's beloved make-believe owl mascot named Duo "died" on Tuesday afternoon. The language-learning app shard a video to Duolingo's TikTok Wednesday showing what appears to be a Tesla Cybertruck ramming into Duo in a parking lot, following by an animated explosion. Duo is then seen transcending through the sky, space and ultimately what appears to be hell. "Reward for whoever can identify the driver. Please post any leads on TikTok. Thank you for your patience with us during these trying times. #RIPduo," Duolingo said in the TikTok post. Duolingo did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment about Duo's demise. Duolingo announced Duo's death on its social media channels on Tuesday afternoon, resulting in an array of internet mourning from big-name brands and users. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. How is the internet reacting? Within less than 25 minutes of the news being shared to TikTok, more than 4,000 users had shared their reactions in the video's comments. "Why did the chicken cross the road," the top comment on the video read, as of Wednesday morning. In response, Duolingo commented back, "We'll never know." Many commenters remarked at how the video appeared so quickly on their feeds. "53 seconds ago. I need to stop stalking this poor owl and go sleep," one user commented. Why did Duo die? Users may be wondering why the brand killed off its famous mascot, but the answer remains unknown. USA TODAY has reached out to Duolingo for more information. However, Duolingo is popularly known for its quirky advertising campaigns and meme content, so Duo's death could mean big news is coming for the app. Who was Duo the Owl? Duo Keyshauna Renee Lingo, more commonly known as Duo the Owl, was born in 1000 BC, according to an X post made by Duolingo on Tuesday. The animated green owl is known for reminding users to complete their daily lessons. While Duolingo jokes its mascot was born in 1000 BC, Duo actually debuted in 2011, the year the app launched, according to Apple Developer. The original Duolingo logo featured a 2-D owl whose eyes and mouth spelled out "DUO." A year later, the first 3-D version of Duo was released with a realistic owl body and two wide eyes that stared right into a user's soul. In 2014, Duolingo decided to "gamify" their mascot, making him cuter and more animated, according to Apple Developer. By 2018, the Duo the Owl users know and love (or fear) was released. In recent years, Duo grew increasingly popular as he parodied pop culture references, appeared in outrageous memes and even partnered with Netflix to promote "Squid Game." Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at gcross@
