Latest news with #Platforms
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Where Will Duolingo Be in 1 Year?
Duolingo's user base and paid subscriptions are growing rapidly. The company's new strategy is focused on expanding artificial intelligence (AI) and automation. Management says the goal is faster innovation, not just cost-cutting, but the sudden AI embrace could drive away some users. 10 stocks we like better than Duolingo › Language-learning leader Duolingo (NASDAQ: DUOL) is soaring on the wings of a green owl. The company's gamified online education services are drawing in tons of active users, assisted by a large cast of cartoon-style characters. The recent first-quarter report showed 130 million monthly active users (MAUs), up 33% year over year. The number of paid subscribers is rising even faster with a 40% jump, also driving robust gains in revenue and profits. Duolingo's stock price nearly tripled in 52 weeks, including an earnings-inspired 65% surge in the last month alone. At the same time, the company is making some game-changing strategic decisions, doubling down on artificial intelligence (AI) tools and automation. Where will this radical AI commitment take Duolingo over the next year, and how will it affect the stock price? I don't have all the answers, but let's check out a few clues. Duolingo published an official long-term strategy document in April 2025. This overview starts with Duolingo's official mission statement: "To develop the best education in the world and make it universally available." From there, it describes a beneficial flywheel of more learners giving Duolingo the resources to build better learning tools, which then boost the customer growth again. The company doesn't have a firm long-term roadmap. Instead, Duolingo prefers pushing out new ideas quickly and adapting to the lessons learned from each new experiment. This "Green Machine" philosophy lets Duolingo hire innovative people, let them experiment, and make a commitment to the ideas that work well. This approach reminds me of the "move fast and break things" tactics in the early days of Meta Platforms. Going back even further, the company now known as Alphabet built the Google search engine in a flurry of quick technology updates. Oh, and Alphabet's mission is to "organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful." Duolingo didn't copy that idea word for word, but the old Google approach sure looks like a direct inspiration. Duolingo could absolutely have picked worse role models than two of the world's largest and most successful technology companies. Finally, Duolingo's strategy statement points to a global target market of 1.8 billion language learners, currently boiling down to 117 million MAUs and 9.5 million paid Duolingo subscribers. The growth potential is massive, especially since language education is just the start of a much more ambitious vision. The strategy document says, "We started with language learning for its economic impact, but our goal is to build a 100-year company that transforms how the world learns everything." Early expansion efforts include math and music, and a chess course is about to join the party. But in the long run, Duolingo wants to teach a lot of different subjects. Now, that document mentioned AI in passing. One week later, co-founder and CEO Luis von Ahn reinforced the AI focus in an email sent to all Duolingo workers. AI has been a part of the Duolingo story for years, especially in the ultra-premium Duolingo Super subscription plan. There, the system won't just say that you got a question wrong, but will also explain the mistake in detail. You can also strike up a natural conversation with a Duolingo chatbot, featuring the cartoon characters you see across the learning platform. But the company is going further with its AI plans. "Duolingo is going to be AI-first," von Ahn wrote. That means generating brand-new quiz content from scratch, scaling up the Duolingo platform to serve a much larger user base, and building new experiences (like the Video Call chats) around AI tools. It also means phasing out human contractors, wherever they're doing work that AI alternatives can tackle. That doesn't mean Duolingo will stop hiring humans, but there will be fewer new hires, and they should bring their best AI management skills to the job interview. This all-hands memo was quickly leaked outside the company, inspiring more criticism than optimism. Many readers said they would stop using Duolingo. Some critics dislike Duolingo's heavy use of artificial intelligence, while others focus on the uncomfortable idea of replacing human talent with robotic automation. The first-quarter earnings report hit the newswires two weeks later, and von Ahn added some color to his AI philosophy in the earnings call, saying: We're going to try to automate everything. This is going to save us some costs on things that humans used to do that now AI can do. However, we're going to apply all of that, and many of those same people, to develop AI features. In other words, Duolingo isn't planning to fire every human. Instead, people are being retrained and equipped with more AI tools. The AI shift is not about cost-cutting and profit-boosting. It's an attempt to accelerate Duolingo's innovation process. The question is how clearly the management team can communicate this nuance to Duolingo's users and investors. The second-quarter report will show the direct impact on the company's user growth, perhaps with a somewhat slower MAU boost than usual. After that, it's off to the races with another growth-boosting gadget in Duolingo's tool belt. I'm assuming that the negative memo comments represent a loud minority, like the grumbles you see anytime a subscription service raises its prices. I could be wrong, of course. A huge groundswell of actual cancellations would be a real problem, forcing Duolingo to slow its AI roll. It could even take the momentum out of its profitable growth trends, doing real damage to the stock and the learning system's reputation. However, I'm not terribly worried about that risk today. Management didn't mention a wave of cancellations in recent conference presentations, nor did they highlight weak user retention metrics. Sweeping such trends under the rug is not a good idea, setting investors up for a hard fall after the next business report. So I'll keep an eye on those metrics in 2025, just in case. But I do expect von Ahn and company to do the right thing, both in terms of accurate data reporting and a responsible balance between human and AI-driven operations. In short, Duolingo's user count and stock price should keep growing from here. Before you buy stock in Duolingo, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Duolingo wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $642,582!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $829,879!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 975% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 172% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of May 19, 2025 Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Anders Bylund has positions in Alphabet and Duolingo. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet and Meta Platforms. The Motley Fool recommends Duolingo. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Where Will Duolingo Be in 1 Year? was originally published by The Motley Fool Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Apple introduces new accessibility features including braille note taker
(Reuters) - Apple said on Tuesday it is bringing a host of new features later this year that are geared towards making its devices more accessible, including a braille note taker and expanded 'zoom' for its mixed-reality headsets, Vision Pro. For users who are blind or visually impaired, vision accessibility features will be expanded using Vision Pro's camera system. The updated zoom features can help users magnify everything in view using the main camera, the iPhone maker said. "We are dedicated to pushing forward with new accessibility features for all of our products," said Sarah Herrlinger, Apple's senior director of Global Accessibility Policy and Initiatives. Apple will allow approved apps to access the main camera on Vision Pro to provide live, person-to-person assistance for visual interpretation in apps such as Be My Eyes. Be My Eyes is an application that connects people who are blind or visually impaired with volunteers and companies worldwide through live video. The Vision Pro, lauded by analysts for its technology, represents Apple's entry into the headset market otherwise dominated by Meta Platforms. Apple is also introducing 'Braille Access' that turns iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Vision Pro into a braille note taker. With this feature, users can open any app by typing with a connected braille device or Braille Screen Input - an Apple system that allows users to enter braille into their devices. Apple's new features also include a system-wide reading mode designed to make text easier to read for users with disabilities such as dyslexia or low vision, the company said. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Apple introduces new accessibility features including braille note taker
(Reuters) - Apple said on Tuesday it is bringing a host of new features later this year that are geared towards making its devices more accessible, including a braille note taker and expanded 'zoom' for its mixed-reality headsets, Vision Pro. For users who are blind or visually impaired, vision accessibility features will be expanded using Vision Pro's camera system. The updated zoom features can help users magnify everything in view using the main camera, the iPhone maker said. "We are dedicated to pushing forward with new accessibility features for all of our products," said Sarah Herrlinger, Apple's senior director of Global Accessibility Policy and Initiatives. Apple will allow approved apps to access the main camera on Vision Pro to provide live, person-to-person assistance for visual interpretation in apps such as Be My Eyes. Be My Eyes is an application that connects people who are blind or visually impaired with volunteers and companies worldwide through live video. The Vision Pro, lauded by analysts for its technology, represents Apple's entry into the headset market otherwise dominated by Meta Platforms. Apple is also introducing 'Braille Access' that turns iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Vision Pro into a braille note taker. With this feature, users can open any app by typing with a connected braille device or Braille Screen Input - an Apple system that allows users to enter braille into their devices. Apple's new features also include a system-wide reading mode designed to make text easier to read for users with disabilities such as dyslexia or low vision, the company said. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Mint
28-04-2025
- Business
- Mint
Multibagger SME stock surges 6,000% in five years: Hits record high, locks in at upper circuit
Colab Platforms share price was locked in at a 2% upper circuit on Monday, hitting a record high, driven by strong buying Platforms shares were locked at its high of ₹ 132.75 apiece on the BSE. The technology solutions provider has been on a sharp upward trajectory. Colab Platforms share price has surged 40% over the past month and soared 220% over the last three months. Over a one-year period, the SME stock has delivered exceptional returns of 823%, and has generated multibagger returns of 6,500% over the past five years. Recently, Colab Platforms announced the launch of ₹ 250 million worth Accelerator Programme to drive sports-tech innovation in India. The company also unveiled new subsidiary, announced interim dividend, and forayed into predictive gaming market. Colab Platforms, on April 22, announced the launch of a ₹ 250 million Sports-Tech Growth Accelerator Programme, an initiative that aims to identify, support, and scale early-stage ventures across critical areas of sports innovation, ranging from athlete performance tools and esports infrastructure to gamified fitness and fan engagement platforms. 'India's sports sector is on the cusp of a digital leap, and with this Growth Accelerator, we are not just funding ideas but building an innovation engine for India's sports future. We want to back visionaries who are building for the next generation of sports, both in India and for the world,' said Puneet Singh, Managing Director of Colab Platforms. The programme will be spearheaded by Colab's newly launched Sports Innovation Division and offer a robust ecosystem to startups. It will include access to R&D infrastructure, mentorship from top industry operators and domain experts, business advisory and go-to-market strategy, and connections to sports federations, organisations, universities, and private equity firms. Colab Platforms incorporated a new wholly-owned subsidiary, Colab Sports Science Private Limited, which will drive the Group's expansion in the sports nutrition and equipment segment. Colab Sports Science will operate across both online and offline channels, offering nutritional supplements, wearable gadgets, and other sport-specific technologies that align with Colab's vision to build a 360-degree sports ecosystem, the company said. The Board of Directors of Colab Platforms also declared an interim dividend of ₹ 0.01 per share, which is at the rate of 0.5% per share of face value of ₹ 2 each for the financial year 2025–26. Colab Platforms dividend record date was April 24, and the dividend payment date is May 16, 2025. At 1:20 PM, Colab Platforms share price was still locked at 2% upper circuit of ₹ 132.75 apiece on the BSE. Disclaimer: The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, and not of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions. First Published: 28 Apr 2025, 01:20 PM IST
New York Post
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Naked and unafraid: Man stands on NYC street corner in skivvies to raise cash for engagement ring
He's looking for a diamond in the buff. A Maryland performance artist met the girl of his dreams, Alma Nicholson, seven months back, and ever since, he's been stripping down to his skivvies in public — to raise money to buy a ring and spend the rest of his life with her. 5 Ham drew stares on March 26, standing in the cold in NoHo. Helayne Seidman Advertisement 'Alma is awesome because she does what she loves every day, training horses,' the 30-year-old known only as Ham, told The Post. 'What I love most about her is the respect she commands from her animals, and the care she gives them. I'm a farm boy at heart, and thus a sucker for a horse girl.' Engagement rings aren't cheap, and like most unknown artists, Ham isn't exactly rolling in it. So in January, he launched his labor of love, visiting various cities, including Berlin, London and last month, the Big Apple. Advertisement 5 Several married men have donated, telling Ham 'they feel my pain.' Helayne Seidman 'What I've learned most from doing this social experiment is the institution of marriage is one of the most powerful in the world,' Ham said. 'A London gallery owner told me if I was asking for money to feed myself, no one would help.' For several hours March 26, Ham stood shivering on a small box in the cold, at the corner of East Houston and Lafayette streets in NoHo, wearing nothing but his drawers and a pair of socks, just spitting distance from a large Calvin Klein underwear billboard. He shares his Venmo information — on a sign reading 'Engagement Ring Savings Fund' — for anyone inclined to donate. Advertisement The effort is also serious art, he insisted. 'It's a social commentary on what we are comfortable with in advertising being disconnected from what we are comfortable with in society,' Ham told The Post about his project, 'Platforms.' 5 Ham, with Alma, said he's most asked if he's trying to launch a modeling career. Courtesy of Ham 'If people get upset I'm in my underwear, I can [nod] to my left,' said Ham, referring to the Calvin Klein ad. 'How can you be upset with me being in my underwear if there's a 50-foot tall man in his underwear across the street.' Advertisement Ham will return to the Big Apple at the same corner from April 29 through May 4, each day from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. 5 Ham will return to the Big Apple between April 29 and May 4. Helayne Seidman Ham said he might be able to purchase a ring this summer — and said it would be the biggest rock he can afford. 'I've been approached by a few jewelry makers who've expressed interest in using a design I've come up with that will hopefully suit Alma perfectly.' He refused to say how much he has collected so far. 'The overwhelming majority are single dollar contributions,' he said, adding he occasionally will get a $50 or $100 bill. 'A true crowd-sourced ring!' 5 Ham said he's received donations as large as $100, but that most donors contribute $1. Helayne Seidman Nicholson, who trains fox hunter horses, called Ham 'a really great guy who treats me well and is very adopting of my brave spirit.' She said she fell in love with 'how bold he is in what he does.' She knew Ham has been doing performance art on his trips, Nicholson had no idea about his impending plans.
