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- Meet your new language tutors…
Meet your new language tutors: the Duolingo Bots
I’m really excited to announce the future of Duolingo and of language-learning in general: Bots!
Being able to have fluent conversations in a new language is an important learning goal. For some people, it is the goal. And yet, it’s really hard to practice this. Most of us hate sounding stupid in front of others so we avoid speaking in a new language. When I visit Brazil, I always feel shy and awkward when trying to speak Portuguese (even though I think my vocabulary is pretty good!).
And I’m one of the lucky ones. Besides producing anxiety, language conversation is a luxury most people don’t have access to. Even in the language classrooms of good schools, students usually sit silently while their teachers lecture. Speaking practice ends up being limited to those who are rich enough to travel abroad or hire personal tutors.
The Duolingo Bots are here to change that. Powered by artificial intelligence, Bots will help extroverts and introverts, rich and poor, prepare for real-world, meaningful conversations.
Thanks to your support, we’ve grown tremendously in just a few short years. But, even now, we’re just as committed to innovation as when we were a 3-person team just starting out in a cramped, Carnegie Mellon University lab.
As you guys know, our team has used machine learning to make lessons personalized since the very beginning, but I believe that these Bots will take conversational practice to another level. Unlike most chatbots so far, Duolingo Bots understand and react to thousands of unique responses. The more you interact with them, the smarter they become.
I’m excited because I believe Duolingo Bots are the most advanced way to learn a language.
Bots are available in the latest version of the Duolingo iPhone app for users learning French, Spanish, and German. Other languages are coming soon, and so are other platforms.
649 Comments
I hope they are coming to web soon! If so, it'd be worth the wait. When I head the chats announced, I had assumed they were coming to web, and was kinda disappointed when I found out it was IOS only. . . Oh well, I guess I'll just wait for chatbots to come to web along with TinyCards, and the characters: https://www.duolingo.com/comment/10334502 (Its been a year since they announced that. . . I hope we don't have to wait that long for chatbots or tinycards!).
It's pointless not to add these features on the website when the apps rely heavily on internet connection in the first place.
Yes, I know! I literally stayed up past midnight waiting for it to update. It never did, so I went to bed, thinking it would be on in the morning (LOL I actually had dreams about using the chatbot last night). I got up REALLY early (Keep in mind I was already up late), only to find that it wasn't for web. Now, I've been like a zombie all day, and have been barely able think or function (All thanks to me getting overexcited about a duolingo feature that I don't even have access to!).
Why make it available to all users when they can get it to the richest users out there. That is their mission isn't it?
In your last post you talk about keeping things free and open to as many people as possible yet every new feature is added exclusively to the most expensive platform. Maybe you should spend time developing a Mission for your company and finding ways you can actually achieve it.
I saw some screenshots of it in action a while ago, it does look fun! Hopefully there'll be a web version soon, and for some other languages. Can't wait to use it when it's fully available :)
Please please Kindle. I don't own a phone or a computer, don't leave me out!
Many of us suspect Immersion is going to be removed - in fact I had half expected it to happen today. Still here though.
However, unless you have personal contacts in Duolingo, I don't think you can make the claim that it is being removed.
Since they haven't been willing to do anything to improve immersion they might as well remove it. What's the point if A/B testing a feature they aren't willing to maintain properly.
A lot of people still get a lot of use out of immersion even in the state it's in right now. The bots feature may be good too but I doubt it will be a substitute. I'd be very disappointed if they decide to remove immersion.
I agree. In fact I thought they might bury the bad news with the release of the chatbot, but it is still here. However, this user was making a specific claim, I think without a source.
Perhaps they need to see out their CNN contract?
Or perhaps they are keeping their options open?
I don't know. But neither does this user.
They have definitely stopped developing it, and they have said it isn't part of their product model. So the general assumption is that it's going to be removed at some point.
Sure, I assume this also. That is why I have never used it.
But it sounded like you were making the type of claim that would require a source.
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Bots are amazing! Just gave it a short half-a-chat go for German and it seems great! However, as an intermediate learner of German going back to the basic chat, I find it frustrating that there are some words that aren't accepted, like when it came up with the sentence "Was isst Robert?" I went and replied "Robert isst Pizza" but wanted to add another sentence - "Mag Robert seine Pizza?" but the word "mag" was not accepted. Maybe it'd just be too hard to accept all possible responses, but it feels just a bit too structured and doesn't let us practice a wide range of sentence structures/vocab/grammar ideas etc.
Sorry if I sound like I'm ranting! I do love the feature on the whole :)
Agreed. I could not even include "please" or "thank you" in certain responses because it wasn't part of the accepted answers
Well, after a first try, bots are not that amazing. They are certainly a great idea. Maybe too good to be true. My experience is quite the same as yours: I missed a way to skip forward. The chats may be good for absolute beginners. But at an intermediate level everything is far too limited. In a French chat I tried to add "n'est-ce pas" (isn't it) and it was refused. That is a common figure of speech! Trying around with other possibilities felt like everything except the expected straight answers to the simple questions is not understood. I agree that the possible answers are far too restricted. Let's hope for improvements, but with the promises given at the introduction of the bots, I am quite disappointed. Sorry!
No point to this unless there is a version for every platform!!! Cant wait for Web Version. That would save us all.
Tiny cards for iPhone, Bots for iPhone... Poor people around the world don't have iPhones! Android phones are much more available for poor people. So why don't you make Android versions of your software for everyone around the World, but only for the rich northern american iPhone users? That's very strange issue...
Don't forget about the characters, which a year ago they said "will be coming soon to other platforms" beside for iOS, and I am still waiting...
Looking forward to being able to use this, but is it really coming soon for other platforms/languages or "coming soon" like the character illustrations the iOS app got over a year ago and were promised to be coming soon for the web app and Android and for more languages and which we are still waiting for?
This is the second new app to not have an android launch beside it. The last app, the tinecards, at least it's website says an andoid app is coming. However, this one didn't even say that. I understand sometimes that developers are better with one ecosystem than another, but other app developers release both side-by-side or within a week of each other.
why is it that these Apps always start out on iOS when the majority of users use Android!
I heared that it is much easier for app-developers to create their apps for iOS than to Android.
You're a beast, Luis! Great work, and thanks for continuing to provide us with wonderful, free services that we can use to learn to connect with people all over the world! :D
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But he hasn't provided "us" with the wonderful free chatbots, he has only provided them to those who are rich enough to own an iPhone, the same people who are most likely to be able to afford to travel or to pay for teaching services which include speaking practice.
What happened to making language learning accessible to all, particularly those who have the least money and the greatest need?
There's a certain gap that's difficult to mend, especially when your main audience must have internet access. For example, some people who are finding it difficult to make ends meet could still use Duolingo by, say, going to a public library. But if you're talking about people living in slum-like areas, I think those people have higher priorities to deal with.
Granted, there are ways they could attempt to bridge those gaps in ways that don't involve internet, but actual classes. However, Duolingo would likely have to become a for-profit organization in order to make them happen and maintain them. Or they could finally add that dadgum Donate button.
OK, reading other comments, I realized that you were specifically referring to the iPhone platform and not just using that example as illustration. In that case, yes, I do agree that Duolingo could spread their resources more evenly among all of their platforms.
- 1728
I saw both your replies at the same time, so yes, I was referring to their practice of always rolling out the useful innovations on iPhone months if not years before the more widespread and cheaper options of pc (accessible, as you say, via public libraries) and android.
I do however, agree with you wholeheartedly that the very poorest people in the world remain disadvantaged whatever the platform and that they themselves have far greater problems to contend with than the availability or otherwise of chatbots.
It would seem that we are in agreement on all points. :-))
- 1590
I can only agree with your sentiments. Although, at one point they used to bring things to the website first - and they still only release Beta languages to the website first.
However, I suspect they (still) don't have a huge development team and either need to develop for platforms sequentially, or (as I've mentioned elsewhere) it is simply that iOS is more straightforward to develop for and thus quicker. They probably wish to see how new features pan-out and so don't wait until all versions/devices are ready before releasing. A benefit is that the Android version might be better than the iOS version once it is released, since they can learn from things they need to improve. In the case of the chat Bots, being supposedly AI-based, the delay should mean the conversations and permitted responses should improve. I know that isn't much comfort for anyone keen to use a new feature.
It also means that something goes badly wrong or is widely disliked for some reason, they only upset (for the most part) one group of users and not everyone. Also rolling out in stages means that they can be sure the servers can handle the load. Don't forget the devices are only part of new features, many things will require back-end changes as well.
I'm purely speculating, of course. What could be improved is that they could be a little more forthcoming about plans and timescales (they were happy to brief the Guardian (UK newspaper) after all, and the accuracy of their announcements.
- 1590
One other factor to bear in mind about the cheaper Android phones is that they are often (very) more limited as regards memory; both RAM and app data storage. Sometimes these restrictions are artificial in order not reduce demand for more expensive models in a range. They want to encourage you to buy or upgrade to the more expensive models. Some models restrict, or won't allow moving of app data to SD cards, meaning some apps won't even install. This can make designing apps to work optimally across different Android phones across different ranges from different manufacturers very difficult, or even mean an app won't run on the more basic models. It isn't practical to test an app with every possible combination.
iOS devices don't provide SD card storage, but do generally come with larger storage memory. They generally use better components such as more reliable and responsive glass capacitance touch-screens, whereas the cheaper Android phones use plastic and/or resistance based touch-screens.
All these factors add to the costs and generally make iOS devices more expensive, but there is no denying there is a 'brand' mark-up as well. Mind you, not all Android phones are cheap. A Samsung Galaxy Note 7 may literally 'burn a hole in your pocket‘. ;-)
- 1590
With my fifth chat in French, I encountered a very officious but sadly ignorant passport/customs official who insisted I needed a visa! No matter how hard I tried to explain that as a citizen of The European Union I didn't need one, he wouldn't accept it! ;-) When I told him I didn't have one, he said it was very serious and simply kept insisting I looked until I found it.
I suspect he was actually American and thus had no idea of geography. When I tried to say I came from Le Royume-Uni, he insisted I meant Lesoto! When I tried Le Grande-Bretagne, he still insisted on Lesoto! I tried Royume-Uni and was told I meant Romanie. Tried l'Angleterre, nothing doing. Tried Angleterre but was told he only knew of Angola. Finally he accepted Grande-Bretagne, but still insisted upon a visa. Brexit hasn't happened, yet!
Anyone have the number of Le Cour de justice de l'Union européenne?
He also refused polite forms of address, not allowing me to add monsieur to the end of sentences.
I also did that one and it came up with all sorts of countries, like Laos, until it finally accepted 'Allemagne'. When I declined to have my picture taken, a mean looking 'agent' with sunglasses appeared to take me away. Lesson learned: Don't mess with French customs officers.
This sounds amazing, looking forward to it. Simultaneously though, the web version should've been the number one priority, not iOS.
The bots are a fantastic idea, but I'm going to have to put in a massive complaint about how you've actually implemented it in the iOS app.
Firstly, it hasn't been tested properly with non-stock keyboards. For example, if you're using SwiftKey the input field gets hidden behind the keyboard, which makes it unusable until you switch keyboard.
Secondly, the way the input method has been overridden makes it impossible to correct errors introduced by the input method because it's not a real text field, just something that's pretending to be one. For example, I wanted to type "¿Qué haces?" earlier, and the input mechanism kept changing it to "¿que haces?" which is incorrect. It also inserts spaces before punctuation, which is really annoying, especially if you're trying to always type things correctly including all the accents, etc.
Lastly, the "Not an accepted word" error needs to die. Just remove it. For example, your second bot on the Spanish course asked me "¿Me puedes ayudar, por favor?" to which I wanted to reply "Vale, ¿cómo puedo ayudarte?", except it won't even let me type "cómo". I can't think of a single response which isn't just "Sí" or "Vale" which doesn't include either "cómo" or "qué", so I'm very surprised that it's not accepted.
All in all, it's a good start, but it needs some serious work to make it usable. Perhaps a "Report error" button in a similar style to that which exists on the standard practice screens, allowing you to suggest valid responses?
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I think the issue is that if they're coding this, they can't actually accommodate all possible answers that somebody could give and verify that those answers are correct. I was wondering how they were going to handle that, but it seems "not an accepted word" is the route they took. Basically, if the answer you're about to give isn't in their (albeit very large) list of responses, you're not even allowed to type it.
Looking at the pile of downvotes, clearly a lot of people who have never tried SwiftKey or Swype disagree with us. :p
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I mean, my comment was just on how the coding of the bots worked, sometimes the downvotes on here really are absurd.
Unfortunately, the list doesn't actually seem to be that big, and it really needs a "Suggest an answer" button. As I said, it's a good start, but it needs a lot of work.
Not accepting certain answers has put me off this quite quickly, otherwise it would be great. But i try several perfectly good answers and it won't accept them ... I give up and use the "help me answer" function because i've no idea what they are looking for, despite my answers being perfectly fine! Frustrating.
A 'report' button (either on the web or within the bot) where you can note problems would be good; for instance it just threw "d'accord" back at me as "not an accepted word". Peuh?
When I read "Other languages are coming soon, and so are other platforms." my head began to ache hahahahahha..... Android waiting for you to come :)
Is this basically Immersion's replacement? Or is there something else in the pipeline? O.O
On Duolingo, it is something which allows you to translate documents into or from your language. I don't believe they have it for Norwegian, but there is I believe a way to get around that. Ask this person www.duolingo.com/Tattamin
It does, and it's quite amazing! You should try it if you have the wish to. :)
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This morning the Duolingo app updated to version 5.0.0 on both my iPhone 6 iPad Pro 9.7. I read the update description about the new Bots feature, which sounded intriguing. Previously, I had completed the German tree, and I keep it "golden" by performing repeated 'Practice' sessions daily. Since Bots was stated to be available for German, I wanted to try it out. First on the iPad (which I use most often for my Duolingo lessons) -- nothing -- the app currently functions the same as before. Then on the iPhone -- ahh, a change! -- a new icon is displayed at the bottom of the screen along with the other three old timers... I tried out the new feature and do like it a lot. I hope it will be enabled on the iPad ASAP and also on the website (which would be useful for people not having access to iOS devices)...
Are you planning to make an online [web] version? We currently don't have any Apple products [iPhone, iPad, ect;] and I'd love to try this out [I don't get much practice with friends :( ]
Mimics day-to-day immersion without the trauma. Terrific resource. Bien hecho, Duo. As you can see all the world is clamoring for the desktop, android, windows phone, even Kindle versions and no wonder!!! Everyone will benefit from this effort as it evolves.
87% of people in the world (and about 65% of people in America, where Duolingo is based) own Android phones. By limiting this to Apple, you are limiting this fantastic free tool to a small percentage of people. And probably the people who need it least, as Apple only makes expensive phones for rich people (who can afford paid language learning), whereas there are much cheaper Android phones.
I am extremely disappointed in this move by Duolingo. The company's mission is supposed to be to make language learning free and accessible to a huge group of people. Instead, this is focusing on the small percentage of people in the world who can afford (or even want to use) the world's most expensive mobile platform.
Also, a web version would be much better for conversations, as typing is much more natural on a computer. Not only that, but it would be available then to people who can't afford a mobile device, but might be able to go to a library to use a computer.
Everything about your approach to the dissemination of these bots is antithetical to your company mission. I am very disappointed in this, and hope that you rectify it very quickly.
Just before I gave you a Lingot on that I got the dialog box asking me "are you sure you love this comment so much that you want to give away a Lingot"? Let me put it this way; I don't think I have read any comment, in any group, that I feel more entirely in agreement with than this one. Every nail, hit squarely on the head.
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I spent 2 lingots but you deserved yours back, as you started the energy exchange.
You know the communication of the entities is more important than the entities themselves. Think how relevant are the strings the body of a guitar without the vibrations/exchange that can create a beautiful music/message.
Now - to accelerate the vibrations. If Esperanto is the easiest to create according to Google Translate, why not create Esperanto chatbot that can aid the most energetic Egalitarian learners (that focus on the main purpose of an effective communication language)?http://googletranslate.blogspot.com/2012/02/tutmonda-helplingvo-por-ciuj-homoj.html
Native languages usually have their concentrated areas. I expect that Esperanto would be native to ChatBots as the most effective communication language. Trying to teach them more difficult languages reduces their Self Esteem - we want stronger companions.
Gaja.
I miss the bots, too. The Duo Stories are pretty, great, though. Have the bots been discontinued?
Are the Duolingo Bots gonna be a feature to Duolingo?? Or will they be part of the language trees?
Can't wait for the Android version!
Hi Luis!
Thx for the official announcement!
Could this sticky message be (translated and) posted(*) in all other "main" forums (=of all languages)? And not only on the English forum.
I imagine the entire community would like to have such important news. ;) And even in the case that it's only available to English speakers (at the moment?): non English speaker users would be happy to be informed too.
Thx by advance!
(*) in a sticky way on each general forum.
At this point it is very clear that non i-phone users really want the Bots on other mobil devices and everyone seems to want them on laptops. So, could we start a new discussion thread on how to use the Bots and issues that we find when using the Bots. That should help Duo improve them faster and make versions for other devices even better when they are rolled out.
Why Duolingo do not priorize Android users?
I live in Brazil, an emergent country, and in my country only 3% of the users use iPhones because it's very expensive and we don't have much brazilian apps to the iOS plataform. Only rich country populations (like USA and Japan) use Iphone, the rest of the world uses Android!
Duolingo, please, don't forget the Latin America, the Africa, the East Europe and the Asia users! We don't have much money to buy an iPhone!
This is so great! Any updates on when Italian might be available? I can't wait!!
Has anybody thought of releasing a web version yet? Just for us who don't have any phones, or maybe bringing it on an Android version?
will we ever see a web version? there are a lot of us who have not got expensive phones
I tried the feature and it's very good but when I heard that it was an A.I. I expected something like Siri or Google Assistant which you can talk to freely. This is somewhat restricted and it doesn't allow you to write something other than the already defined phrases. Actually this is better in terms of learning since it guides you very well during the chat so you don't waste time by writing something irrelevant. It also says the A.I. gets smarter as you talk to it more, so I wonder how it is possible since it doesn't allow you to write something different than what you are given. Sometimes it asks what my favourite color is or if I have a pet. Is it the only way the A.I. gets improved? And will there be any change about how the A.I. works in the future?
Edit: I just found this article and it gives answers to all my questions above https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/oct/06/duolingo-chatbots-learning-language
I have an I-phone and immediately started trying the Bot. Here are some initial reactions, in no particular order order of importance: 1) Great concept. There is a lot more that can be done with Bots over time. 2) The present Bots give you initial conversations. Sort of ice breakers so that you might feel a bit more comfortable early in the conversation. 3) If you are well into the Duo Tree, you can rack up XPs a lot faster with Bots than with lessons or the regular practice session. You get no XPs for a minimal response (like responding with Hola to Hola from the little Bot person), 1XP for a good answer and 2XPs for a great answer. 4) Unfortunately, you don't get to see what the Bot would consider great answers, unless you ask for help with your response. To work around this, you can run through a Bot conversation doing the best you can without asking for help, and then repeat it, clicking on "help" to see what Duo has as acceptable responses. It is pretty clear which responses are better. You wont get any XPs when you ask for help but you might expand the variety in your speaking (and understanding). 5) The Bot speaks to you and gives you text. Unfortunately it only takes typed responses from you. Hopefully a voice recognition capability will become available soon. It is one thing to intellectually know what to say and another to actually get it out of your mouth. 5) There are a limited number of Bots. I completed all that I could find in the first two days. 6) Like other aspects of Duo, the Bots want you to stay fairly close to the prompts from the little people you are communicating with. If you get a little too elaborate in your response, you get a "word not accepted" message. On the other hand if you have typed in a response that the Bot will accept, the "Send" button will be highlighted (In that case you will see whether you got zero, one or two XPs for your response. 7) The present Bot conversations are pretty basic but much better than what you see in phrase books because the Bots put things in context. 8) It would great if Duo could adapt the Bot conversations to your level, or your fluency or how far you have progressed on the tree. For now, you are not going to get much practice with things like verb tenses, or compound sentences (pero or y rarely work). Bots do use and accept pronouns connected to verbs. 8) The Bots are somewhat addictive. Expect to spend a fair amount of time when you start on them.
Overall, this approach has huge potential in building confidence so that we are more comfortable starting conversations with native speakers. I agree with all the comments on getting the Bots on laptops and other systems as soon as possible.
Duolingo needs to stop developing only for iOS first. BOTH Android and iOS at the same time please!
There are over 3 million Duolingo Android reviews. There's barely an eighth of a million iPhone reviews. There are x24 more Android reviews. Duolingo, WTF? Why are you primarily developing an iPhone app instead of an android app?
Great idea! iPhone, iPhone, iPhone! Android users greatly outnumber (about one billion +- to 470 million iPhone users) - so when does Android get to have access to this great idea? Please let me know and thanks.
Wm.
What's up with the iPhone platform getting everything first? And then the long lad to Android?? It's like a 5:1 ratio. Not feeling the love here "Mr. Owl".
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Why is there no web version? I do not use apple products, so although the idea seems great, it is useless to me and potentially many other PC user.
I really hope that bots comes to android or web soon!! I've been waiting for a year now to get access to it
I agree. I like typing much better on my Mac! Keep working on these great innovations please!
Since you operate on the Mac platform as I do, the web version lacks some of the mobile features. ALL mobile features should be included in the web version.
I agree. I have the app, but i am on the web so much more often... although, the bots sound pretty cool.
This has come at a good time for me - I only started learning french through a podcast 5 days ago, and this is only my third day on Duolingo (and first discovery there is a website!) but the bot's are amazing!
I think maybe it's on app first because of how it works. At first I was a little frustrated that it wouldn't let me expand my question too much, or, answer then ask a question in reply, like a normal conversation; it has a finite list of acceptable answers for each bot question in the conversation.
Having used it for a couple of days though, it's very good for noobs like me because whilst it doesn't let you reply whatever you want, it does force you to get out of your comfort zone a bit. One thing you can do is see the words it knows if you get stuck or if you want to expand your answer, that's been great for my early days vocab!
Thanks Duolingo - excellent feature!
The thing with a web version is you can access it from iOS and Android until it makes it to the platform specific app. Why isn't available on the web first?
Not that I'm defending it, but apps are sort of the cutting edge thing. It's the new frontier. You can access websites from mobile devices but apps are almost uniquely mobile. My guess would be that they're going suuuuuper hard in the paint to appeal to the casual mobile user. Maybe an effective business model on paper but it doesn't seem very logical or efficient in practice. I get the feeling that web versions of things like this will soon become obsolete and just not done, unfortunately. Even Windows 10 allows you to use apps on a PC.
But I agree that a web version first would have made more sense. I, not having a mobile device, certainly would have appreciated it.
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Mobile Apps are not cutting edge, they are a retread of an old concept before computers were networked or barely networked. A web browser represented a major step forward in that a user only needed one application installed on their computer (the browser) and it could access all of the internet's resources.
iOS and Android apps represent a step BACKWARDS because now you are tied to a specific piece of software to access a particular internet resource. Mobile apps represent a walled-garden, a limitation that a company will place on how their resource is accessed. "You do it our way, or you don't get it."
No, mobile apps are about as cutting edge as someone that still runs DOS and WordPerfect.
Agreed. It's even worse that this was first made as an IOS app, something that seems to be driven (and not just at DL) by the thought process of "oh it's Apple, it must be cool". But the reality is that Apple has about a 17% market share in mobiles, Android has about an 80% share. So for every 1 DL user who can access this, 4 can't, and that's not even counting those who don't have Smart Phones in the first place. Had it been made a "Web First" development then 100% of DL users would have access to it from the start. There are reasons for developing apps (you have more control over what they can do) but they should always be as an "extra bells and whistles" option built onto a web offering.
I'm not talking about it from a technological standpoint. If I were, I would agree with you. My point is being made in regards to the average consumer, to which mobile apps are the new cool thing. Or, as a said, "cutting edge."
As of 3 years ago, less than half of their user base was on iOS, and 1 in 4 were on the web (presumably with overlap). Source: http://i.imgur.com/IY6GXTn.png
An "App" on windows is only what it is called. you still cant use an ios app on windows.
Very true. . . that'd make a lot more sense than what they have done with the chat bots and TinyCards. That way nobody would be left out (They could then eventually roll out the app versions at a later time).
They really should have ChatBots and TinyCards for the web and THEN make the apps
Exactly! There is a website for Duolingo Bots, but it just says, "Oh, you need to download the app!"
Because if you looked at the stats you would know that the majority of users either learn languages on their handheld devices (iOS/Android) or prefer to rather than on the web. It mostly has to do with convenience in that people can open the app anytime on their phone whenever they get 5-10 mins of free time in the day such as while commuting.
I know about the stats, but everyone can access the web version, even people on mobile (mobile web version), whereas now Android users as well as desktop web users are left out.
But I also understand that they might want to limit the amount of people that have access to it while they still are fine tuning it, since it's a new feature. It's just frustrating to always feel left out because we didn't want to buy one specific brand of device.
It's disappointing they choose iPhone when their aim is to provide language learning for anyone rich or poor. iPhones are really expensive but you can get a cheap Android phone.
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@1Milano: Swift is currently an Apple-only programming language. Both Swift and Objective-C were created by and proprietry to Apple. Java was created a couple of decades ago and simply adopted by Google. Although, there are rumours that since it has now been made Open Source, Google is considering supporting Swift (V3) for use for Android. This would in theory make it easier for developers to develop for both platforms. But only up to a point, since the APIs and whole way the interfaces work are very different in both concept and implementation. So only non-interface logic could maintain a common code-base. So in cases where most of an app revolves around the interface, visual and audible, it doesn't necessarily gain very much.
So your comment is correct only in the sense that they would code for iOS in Swift. Given that (I think) the Duolingo App existed prior to Swift, much/most of Duolingo would have been written in Objective-C and probably still is. Unless they decided to rewrite everything in Swift - which would have been a major effort and require an overwhelming reason for doing so. However, the earlier versions of Swift were buggy/problematic, and each version has changed syntax and implementation, so I doubt they would have committed to Swift before version 2.2.
Another factor is that there is no common IDE (Integrated Development Environment), the editor used to code and build applications, that can easily be used to develop for both. Even though one can bend, for example Xcode to also be used to write and build Java all aspects that revolve around the interface are only geared to the concept used by iOS/OS X. Additionally, Xcode only runs on OS X (without considerable persuasion and effort on an emulator). Cross-compliers can be used, but that still leaves the interface difficulties. Even if one pulls all this off, there will always be bizarre little anomalies where things don't work as they should. Plus Apple is very strict about what code and APIs are used in apps sibmitted to the App Store. So it is very much safer to use the most appropriate tool for the targetted platform.
Earlier versions of Xcode used to support Java (Cocoa-Java/Swing) but that wouldn't really help with the Android GUI.
Even if Google were to adopt/support Swift, it would be unlikely before Swift V3 has been finalised/standardised, and even then it would sit alongside Java much as Swift can sit alongside and be inter-operable (to some extent) with Objective-C).
Even with Swift V3 if it were adopted/supported by Google the difference in interface concept with still make things very difficult to maintain a common code-base. It isn't simply a case of calling different APIs, the whole concept is fundamentally different. Cars and ships both have a steering system, but they work rather differently.
Every app and update has to start somewhere, so they might choose to begin with iOS since that is by far the simplest and most consistent interface and OS with fewer devices with different characteristics to be concerned with. Plus, because Android is open, manufacturers can modify the OS in any way they wish which makes things even more complicated. So it makes perfect sense for them to get things working as they wish first on iOS, learn from mistakes or things they might do better, and only once things are settled and established begin the mammoth task of creating or updating an Android version based upon the now finalised design.
Even the concepts of Java and Swift/Objective-C are different. Loosely-speaking, Java runs in a bubble isolated from the OS, whereas Objective-C/Swift are more conventional and interact (more) directly with their OS. The reality is a lot more complex than that, but that is the concept. One of the main design concepts of Java was to make it a universal language that (due to its abstraction) could run on any operating system, that possessed the Java Virtual Machine environment. C was also intended to be machine-independent but in a different way and more direct way at the source code level, by use of different libraries on different OSs. Objective-C is an extenstion/superset of C. Whereas, Swift is, in essence, a separate language in its own right.
Finally, OS X is unix-based, or arguably perhaps more correctly, unix-like. iOS is not (really). OS X is the direct descendent of NeXTSTEP, which like WindowsNT was greatly inspired and influenced by DEC's Vax/VMS OS - very un-unix like (at least at the time) - and was the first time both became anything like a true operating system. OS X does use a unix command shell, but that reveals nothing of the underlying OS. Nevertheless, the kernel is unix-based and POSIX-compliant.
I can access all platforms, but I prefer the web (SOOO much easier on a full keyboard)
So far Duolingo has tremendously accommodated my interest in taking up new foreign languages. I think the team will not let us down with the new features and in a not-so-distant future, the new app will apply to all devices.
That is both the strength and weakness of the phones brands. Iphones have a much smaller number of variants compared with android. This tends to make it easier, when rolling out features to target a smaller number of devices initially, to trouble shoot the issue that will invariably come up in the course of use by the masses.
While 'android' is a nice unifying term, and my preferred platform personally, the devices themselves, and by extension their specifications, are as varied as the consumer's reasons for purchasing them.
This is much reminiscent of the PC/Console games market, where it is easy to develop for consoles, (one set of hardware specs, guaranteed standard of performance etc) vs the trouble of developing for PC (varied hardware, OS, drivers etc.)
you might be able to get the phone....but lots of people cannot afford the monthly bills for smart phones with all the internet access.........
Is that indeed true? I don't well understand this preference for the app. I don't much like it because you don't just get a keyboard to type on (I don't mean a physical keyboard, just a proper keyboard as you get it also on a smartphone with all keys on it), and instead just a number of letters, most if not all of which are necessary for whatever word or phrase you are typing. That's probably just me, though.
I am going to take a guess that it may be more difficult to develop a web version. What I have seen playing around with the chat bots on iOS is that the bots take take advantage a lot of auto-completion and predictive typing. And, I imagine that a lot of that predictive capability is already baked into the operating system.
Interesting, indeed. I don't have any system that uses iOS, so let me just ask you: how do the bots take advantages of auto-completion and predictive typing? Is the conversation not in turns, with the bots speaking only after the user sent some text? That's what I would have expected.
Basically, you start typing a word, and the system tries to figure out what the word is before you finish typing the word. So, for example, the bot may say "What toppings do you want on your pizza?" I start typing, "I want m-u-s-h...", and the bot anticipates that you are trying to type "mushrooms" and auto-completes it for you. It's not going to let you type "mushroms" or "mushroooms."
The result is that it is difficult to make routine typos and to miss accent marks and so forth when you are chatting with a bot. I imagine that not having to worry about typos cuts down on the number of alternatives that the bot has to consider.
Yes, you still have to send text back to the bot, but the bot places restrictions on what you are allowed to send. Sometimes, it can be overly restrictive --- at least at the moment. I have read, though, that the bots remember the answers that they don't accept, and they can learn to accept a wider range of answers over time.
I see. Well, perhaps (hopefully) they can simply forego that feature for an eventual web version, but then again, if they included it to begin with, they probably have a reason, such as—like you said—to limit the options the bot has to consider. Another reason might be that if the bot indeed learns from user input, as we were told, then it wouldn't be good if it learned all sorts of typos from careless users. Thanks for your reply.
You can also access a web version from a Blackberry and a Windows 10 phone (yes, I've owned both and still use a Nokia Lumina). The BOT idea is fantastic but the widest usage will come when the application is accessible by browser.
Why does duolingo only make apple apps??? Most of their user base is either on android or the web!
Upvote this comment if you want to see duolingo's apps like tinycards made for android and the web!
Yes, please. I am glad to hear you are working on it. I can hardly wait. But I am excited that I have at least one friend who has Duo on iphone.
The duolingo people try things out on the IOS version, but shouldn't they do it online where they have more users? Or do they really have more IOS users. Maybe they release it for IOS because if something then goes wrong it effects less players. Well, I don't care if I get my data wiped, I JUST CAN'T WAIT FOR BOTS!!!!! P.S. Please?
There is not even an iPad version even though it is mentioned in the update note. This time it's really disappointing for many people.
Edit: After 2 weeks it finally came to iPad. Thanks Duolingo team!
Yeah, I got really hyped then got really disappointed when I saw it wasn't in the app on my iPad... even though it was written in the update notes
Yes, I was also hoping for an app version after seeing the update note. Hopefully soon!
Can't wait for them to tell us what device we should be surprised for. 2nd time they said "Coming sooooon" and THEN we find out it's for apple users, again. They could at least let us know. otherwise I really do appreciate the service DL offers.
87% of smart phones in the world are Android phones (largely because they make cheap options). By limiting this to Apple, Duolingo has made it clear they're only interested in providing this feature to the world's richest people, who can afford the most expensive phones (and could probably afford paid language learning). This seems contrary to Duolingo's entire mission statement, and is extremely disappointing.
cf all those internet money systems that rely on massive university and corporate computers to generate the currency…
However, in this case I think it's more that Duolingo is largely done by volunteers, and it just happens that iOS coders are more likely to be learning languages themselves. If you know any Android coders, drag 'em in, and with any luck they'll drag in their friends.
I have no idea if iOS coders are more likely to be language learners than Android coders but I do know a tiny bit about developing apps (just a layperson though).
As I understand things it's generally easier to code something for an iOS app than for an Android app. The huge range of devices using Android actually works against us here - because it's significantly harder for app developers to ensure their app works across the range (compared to developing for iOS). I agree it's annoying though - I would love some of the iOS apps that are not available for Android but I'm not willing to switch to Apple.
Honestly, many companies and organizations develop apps first for iOS, and sometimes never for Android. I think this is usually because of:
1) A cursory, false assumption that the majority of people have iPhones (statistically completely incorrect... but believe me, rich people who run these things all have warped views on this. Hint: if everyone you know owns only Apple products, you are very rich)
2) Because iPhone users by definition are richer, and may have more disposable income. Maybe Duolingo chose iPhone users to get all these app items first because they think they're more likely to spend the money to get the premium version and get rid of adds.
Whatever the reasoning, I stand by my statement: this is completely contrary to Duolingo's mission statement of providing language learning to ALL. I have friends all over the world, and only rich people in rich countries have iPhones. In other words, not the main group Duolingo claims to want to serve at all.
If I find some, I definitely will. With the popularity of Duolingo, I'm sure there is some coder out there that would be happy to help out. I would love to see some kind of source that backs up the idea that iOS coders are more likely to be language learners if you have one? Not trying to pick a fight. I am honestly interested.
At least we are still getting languages on non-apple servers and the web, even if we are being left "in the dust" on all of the other features.
I agree I would love to get access to an android version PLEASEEEEE
I really need a web version! I CANNOT use duolingo on my phone! please please please make one for here!
I don't have an iPhone but I'm curious what this feature will be like. Is there a youtube video yet of someone giving a demonstration?
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Just tried the french bot ... Thanks! That was a meaningful experience. Can't wait for the Italian bot!
I can't wait until this is available for PC! I would download the app, but for some reason, even after deleting ALL my apps, and MANY photos, I don't have enough room. It might be because I dont have an sd card though...
EMULATORS? Does anyone know if there is a way to get some kind of iphone IOS emulator so I can try this on my pc? I really want to try the bots like right now
And you disappoint again by not releasing a Web version or an Andriod version. Really iOS is not the most used platform in the world!! Does the Duolingo team have specific bias against people using Andriod, or more specifically people not using iOS devices?
yes, i agree. we need the web version soon guys! bots is such a great idea!
Why in the world would you premier this feature to a platform that struggles to maintain 10% market share?
I do appreciate your hard work. For being a free app and service, this is outstanding. You do not see this kind of excellence and dedication on most paid language apps. Thank you so much
come on Android app. isn't android by far the most used in the world? Far outpacing apple?
That would be good for my mother & boyfriend, who are both beginners at the language. Other languages are supposed to be coming after Spanish, German, and French, so I guess we only have to wait.
Do you ever think it will be possible to have more freely developing conversations. Like lets say the bot says "What's your favorite season?" and you want to say "Fall because I love the leaves," but Duolingo only allow you to say "fall" and no more. Will it be possible for the bot to respond to thought provoking conversation, maybe like Cleverbot.
Also, could it be possible in the future to maybe have the Duolingo conversations, yet with other humans and you can have conversations with each other. You could earn XP from every 5 words you use in a desired target language, and people from the same level will be matched together. Also to keep things appropriate, people can report things such as people giving away personal information or using inappropriate language. I think this would provide the most candid practice for any language.
Please add the robots to the Google Play store. Apple is becoming out of fasion, and more people, (like me) are using Android. "Be together, not the same."
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I've completed all of the currently available conversations with the Spanish bots and I have to say, Luis, that I'm extremely disappointed with the final conversation with the corrupt airport security officer. We're left just standing there while he admits he's confiscating items because it's his wife's birthday and so on! With no opportunity to at least tell him he's a jerk.
Maybe it was intended to be funny, but it just makes me angry.
There's also an error early on in the conversation. My first time going through the conversation, I repeatedly said I didn't want to help him with checking passengers until he finally told me, "It's your job." Um, what? I thought I was a tourist...
Other than that, I think the bots feature is a great, fun addition and can't wait to see how it improves.
Great, another service I can't use since I'm an android user. I only sound so salty because this is obviously such a great idea, that I want to use it! Keep going Duolingo, you're chaaanging the woooorlllddd.
and gimme android support already.
I a beginner italian adult-student. In order to amplify my once a week class I am using Duolingo. Today i just decide to write a short daily journal, in italian, to enhance my learning. I would love to send my diary to your italian bot
To Heidi409157: I just started learning French but once I feel comfortable with French, I would like to start learning Italian. If you could explain what you are writing in your journal to enhance learning a new language, I would appreciate any details. Thank you!
I call it "Caro Diario" (that is Italian for Dear Diary). I use a word document and turn on track changes function. I write a few of my day's activities. such has "Today is Thursday and it is raining. I went for a 1.5 miles walk with my dog". My italian vocab is little since I am new, so my journal (or Dear Diary) entries are simplistic, but I figured it is a good practice lesson. I will send my journal (or "Dear Diary) to my Italian teacher and have her correct my grammar. But it would be great if I could send my diary to the Duolingo bot (when they have the Italian bot available), and have the bot correct my grammar.
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Really enjoyed the starter German conversations on my iPad, and looking forward to the feature coming to browser and Android. Thanks for your hard work!
I really don't know. There still is no Tinycards or even the characters that have been around for much longer for iOS, I believe, so I'm not holding out a lot of hope. It might happen someday (not even sure of that), but I don't think it will be soon.
How about the web version for Italians also ? The idea is great but should be also for Android and Web available...can't wait!
This is not just about extroverts and introverts, rich and poor... Bots will be an extremely important learning means to those interested in more - so to say - exotic or less universal languages. Lots of English, German and Spanish people around to speak and train your language skills with with, but what about Turkish, Romanian, Esperanto and similar?
I understand your question was more general than this, but if you or anyone else reading is looking for Esperanto practice partners, either for typing or for actual talking by voice, there is a very large and active community on Telegram to be found here.
That sounds really good, I hope the Android version is comming soon :)
Make for the web version and Android version please. I can't wait no longer !
I surely cannot wait for the web version to come out! It would sound great to have a fluent conversation about sushi in Japanese, or gyros in Greek. And other food in other native languages... It would sound like something great to add to the web version of Duolingo.
I don’t see the Bots in the iOS app anymore, were they deprecated?anymore
They weren't deprecated but are in the process of being reintegrated. They also wanted to make sure everyone has access to the profile tab. I don't know the specific ETA, but they will return soon, starting with Spanish, first.
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Please, next time you do a teaser that is for iOS only, just mention it in the teaser :) very disappointing to wait for a week, just to learn I have the "wrong" phone.
Tbh I really don't understand why they're not developping cross-platform by now...
It's possible that they receive money from Apple for releasing there first. It's not uncommon for Apple to offer deals to certain app devs for releasing on iSnob first.
Yes, I know!!!! I actually made a post earlier about that! I had been waiting for over a week, after seeing the teaser, only to this get IOS only "for now" stuff. I had my suspicions, but just kinda blew them off. I guess my suspicions were right.
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Yes, the teaser is a big disappointment. Makes me not want to do anything duolingo until they get us something on android. Grrrrrr ;(
Yes, man. It's bad. ¬¬' I already know that my windows phone isnt the best. but now i'm starting to feel more sad then before. ¬¬'
OH MY GOSH! This is totally what I've been needing! I don't have many chances to use my German anyway, and when/if I do, I'm so nervous! This seems like it will be AMAZING! I don't have any apple devices though, so I'll keep waiting for the Android &/or PC version (along with TinyCards) :P -JCal
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So the bots and tinycards roll out on iOS and us android users get the ads? Sounds fair. =)
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Recaptcha reborn ?
Does this mean that instead of immersion which was/is very useful we will now be providing native speakers voices as well as text? ...... If so, shouldn't we be consulted before we are used to act as voice-overs?
I feel like I have been born again. My languages have really touched me. Thank you Duolingo.
I really want it, please make a web version with more language options, especially the ones it's hard to try people to talk to, like Esperanto.
As for Esperanto, are you aware of the Telegram community? It's quite large, with the biggest group having currently 1025 members, and very active as well. Link
There's also several other groups, such as a Voĉmesaĝejo—where you can speak by sending voice messages, so it's not just chatting—and many others.
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Okay; so after the annoying scripting craze of a few months ago, it would now appear that the same, or similarly-minded, people are now running scripts to repeatedly down-vote posts within the discussions!
It would appear that they 'cut their teeth' by first running scripts to create new discussions with nonsense text or variations of 'hi', 'hello', 'hola' etc. You're not impressing anyone guys!
Love them, only wish they would understand more. I KNOW I am answering correctly sometimes and they won't accept my answer.
conversing with the bots is great, but what they allow in response seems quite limited. If I try to respond in a more complete way-eg-phrase or sentence, they will not accept it-just the very basics.
I agree. It would be great if this could be improved further but in general the Bots are great.
Some people have different learning stratagies, and some learn differnly. Some may be visual, some may be hearing, and some may have to do the work to actually learn something. So it is nice for all three learning styles to be able to get this app and talk to a bot. Yes, it has its disadvantages, but it has its advantages to! Embrace those instead of the others.
Super excited for this! Can't wait for it to be added to Android in Spanish!
Sounds great! On a different topic, since my mother tongue is French and I am learning Italian, do you have or are you planning to have French to Italian? It converts so much better than English to Italian.
Grateful that things are still growing. Looking forward to Android. Will tell hubby about the iPhone. He'll love it!
I use web version often, but Android most often. I hope this isn't anything to do with Apple funding which could then lead to iOS only!!??
It would be really nice to know what you mean by "soon". Tiny cards for iOS has been around for long. I used the bots on my iPad. They are awesome! addictive! and have a lot more teaching value!! We have to have them for the Andriod. Not having them for Android means you are being completely unfair to the 2/3 of your users. You could argue that Andriod platform is fragmented (I dont think so, but the argument could be valid), what about the web-version. That should not be a problem. Not having bots for any other platform is just wrong!!
From what I understand an iOS version is easier to deploy than Android, not sure how you can see it as "unfair" given that it is a free program, and you are free to buy or borrow an iPhone until they have navigated the Android waters.
I agree with you on the iOS version is easy to deploy. But I do not agree on "free to buy or borrow" point. This is free program. That is true. It is upto them to treat all users as equal. I maintain that if you are going to make something free for everyone, then there should be no "walled garden" that restricts you from doing something because you cannot afford some expensive piece of technology. I am pretty sure it is not more difficult to deploy for web than to deploy for iOS.
Still waiting for customizable Duo owls :p I gotta have some use for all these lingots.
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Thank you for the bots!! Just tried them out on my husband's iPhone. It was lots of fun. Can't wait until they come out for Android. :) Duolingo is the best!!!
I think this should be on the web Pleassssssssseeeeeee I really want to try it
PLEASE soon make an android version! Don't leave us in the dark! I can benefit from this greatly!
The bots have quickly become my favorite way to practice French. Thank you so much for the upgrade!
I love these new language bots. Sometimes I just can't figure out what the right answer is. But that's part of the learning. Rather do this in front of the bots then in front of a real person !
So I think this is a really great idea, and I really appreciate all the features Duolingo offers for us users for free. But still, I am kinda disappointed that iPhone version of Duolingo seems so privileged. They have got the bots and tinycards, while Android and the web version do not have both features. And I just wonder why? Cos only the minority of users, do use Apple? But the web version, for example, is accessible to everyone. So why not publish it first for the web version? I just don't get it, but this comment is not meant to disregard all the great features Duolingo offers for free.
I am very happy that I have used the new "bots". They are quite interesting and beneficial. Where else can I get personalized German language practice like this? Nowhere else. -- I used the bots on my iPod. (The iPod is an iPhone without telephone service.) However, I carry an Android phone with me everywhere, so I do hope that Duolingo introduces bots for Android soon.
Hopefully this will be available for lesser spoken languages like what I study e.g. Esperanto.
please guys fix the IOS features duolingo, comments in the app, see the new words if singular or plural we IOS Users need features like android or webversion.
great news! I'm looking forward to the web-version for any of my target languages :)
Just a little question: When will the bots be released from other languages such as French? I can't wait :)
thank you very much for duolingo it's very good, is there any android version of it.
I am so excited about the bots! I know they will help, but pleeeeaaasssse work on Italian bots!
But who will love the bots? More importantly, will they like nachos? Are the bots available to catch a movie on Friday night?
These are the things I want to know.
I really like the Bots (even though the vocabulary constraints are frustrating at times). Please make more!!
Even though its a small group, Esperanto would really benefit from this due to there not being many fluent peoples in one concentrated area.
sounds fantastic! and web and android versions... and web and android versions of tiny cards. i can't believe i have stuck with this daily for almost six months. sometimes i do get bored and don't want to practice, though. new formats of learning sound very exciting.
Question- If you're a Bot, how do you earn lingots and level up in stuff? Or is it just the developers testing things out? Also, what does it mean if you have a blue star or a green shield around your profile picture?
I generally like the Bots. But I would add my voice to those wanting Bots on the regular web page, too. I would much rather type on a physical keyboard than on my phone or tablet screen.
I am studying French. The conversations with bots do not work properly. I can listen to the phrases only once. The sound sign which I could press and listen to the phrase again has disappeared.What should I do?
Will Bots be available for PCs soon? I use them on my iPad, but miss them on the computer......
The "New Chat" option seems to have disappeared for me. Did I run out of Bots to chat with?
Also, a Chat Bot sent me a picture of himself in the shower and I did not feel that the pre-programmed answers were sufficient to communicate my surprise. If you're going to throw us a Nude Bot, at least throw us a little mon dieu to react appropriately!
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I have now learned Spanish with the bots for a week and it is so much fun! Great job! But a few wishes: - please let me copy the whole dialogue (at the end)! I don't need the pictures, just the text. It would help so much, if I could just copy it to e.g. an email or something to read again later!
And of course: - please make this available for the web version! - please make this available from other (teaching) languages!
I have been using the Bots extensively. It is certainly the most advanced mode of learning, but with one caveat. It is necessary to have a better than the rudimentary understanding of the language.
Initially, I was very hesitant to try working with the Bots. However, as my vocabulary improved, so did my performance. Consequently, success can be immediate and reinforce positive learning behavior.
Now, I wait patiently for the next Bot adventures. Only had problems with one, but that appeared to be a software error because it was rectified the following day.
As an educator with 36 years of classroom experience, I HIGHLY recommend using the Bots. However, if language skills are not advanced enough, expect some frustration.
Thus, if the user becomes frustrated, then stick to the lessons and make some advancement. THEN, try the Bots again. Also, once a Bot is completed, the user can work with it again, attempting to improve scores.
Whoever is writing the Bots is brilliant and I want to see many more in the future.
Duolingo bots seem amazing and fun, and I should know because I have a brother with the app. However, I am sick of waiting for them to come out online and wish there was an android version.
Yes! I really need an android version for my laptop. When I'm on my phone, though, bot is SO useful, fun and helpful!
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How do you 'activate' the bots? I have an iPhone and I'm taking Spanish (level 4, I think) and there isn't a bot icon. In my French course there's an icon for it but in Spanish... Do you have to get to a certain level or what? Can someone help me please?
My bot appeared for a day or two on the iPhone but have not appreared again. Not sure what to do to get it back.
I use to have bots in Spanish but today I logged in and there is no logger a bots tab ??? What happened 5o my bots?
They are coming back, though I don't know the ETA, yet. They are being reintegrated in some way. I don't really have much information beyond that, although Spanish will be first to get them back. Being on Android, I've never had them. :'(
Believe it or not, I get the fact that iPhone is a very popular platform, but come on. Android is in use on far more phones and those of us that don't want (or can't afford) the Apple platform are really being cheated by these new innovations that you're only putting out for that platform. Please Please PLEASE consider releasing first on Android then on iPhone.
It seems most of you have phones that do a little bit of everything. Since my phone has none of those features and since I couldn't read them if they did, I want these apps for my nice big screen computer where I can read and hear better. I don't even have messaging on my phone and don't intend to get it.
great, great news, I just hope the android or web version will arrive very soon.
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The conversation 'Getting Around' is a little frustrating. It currently rejects many of the most correct words and phrases in answers.
More generally, I'm not sure how the 'AI'/Neural Network can learn if (words within) phrases cannot be typed because preceding words needed to construct the sentence are rejected and so the later words cannot be entered, so that makes conversations a bit artificial. Also, many of the answers seem to reject pronouns and instead require explicit repetition of parts of the question. Yet in other questions if strongly resists repeating from the question.
Another annoyance, is when it appears to reject everything sensible, so one has no option but to tap 'Help me reply' to see exactly where it wants to head, it suggests an answer, which if you choose it, then states, 'A better answer would be...‘!
In common with the other conversations, it won't accept 'autobus' for a bus.
It really does still require a 'report a problem' feature.
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Oh I would love this. I am living in Mexico and it is sooooooo difficult to get people to talk to you in Spanish because the whole world wants a native English speaker to speak English with, even if they only know one word or even no words of English!!! I have resorted to telling people (in Spanish ) that I am German and do not speak English. Fortunately I am far enough along and have gathered some confidence in speaking Spanish that I can pull this off. I do have an Android though that works on wifi down here in Mexico so I too am eagerly awaiting the Duolingo Android App for the Duolingo Bots!!!!! Please be soon!!! Great idea!!! Especially for native English speakers who I feel are under tremendous pressure from almost the entire world that wants to learn English. I am no expert but I don't know if there is anywhere a native English person can go to learn another language without being ACCOSTED by someone who is a non- native English speaker who wants to learn English. This happened to us in China learning Mandarin and now here in Mexico. End of rant.
There is a bug with the bots. I leveled up while doing it and it never registered on my account. Missed out on the gems and there is no record on in my progress history of leveling up :/ Other than that I thing they are pretty good!
Love the new bots addition, hoping it will make the difference of getting the best from Duolingo
I just found this today for the French learning on my iPhone. Love it!!!! So very pleased with what I have tried so far.
And I realized in the first conversation, I fully understood what they were saying quickly and what the program was asking for my response.
Admittedly French is very easy to learn, of all the languages I have been studying through Duolingo.
Can't wait! I know it will be far down the line, for the Irish, Welsh and Hebrew. Especially the Irish. But so happy with Duolingo program.
Bravo Zulu all at the Duolingo team
Well it didn't last really long. I used the bots since they appeared and by now there are no new conversations appearing. It was not completely an "open word" of answers but it was a fun twist to a daily activity that I've been doing for a long time. The 20 conversations to learn German from English were fairly simple but it certainly feels restricted in some of them. The one about clothing and the painting were the ones where you could experiment the most.
I could expect more conversations in the future but for now it doesn't seem possible.
Thanks Duolingo, it is great to practice with you.
such a good platform for people who love learning new languages . it is helping me alot in learning german .
Great! :D Still waiting for the TinyCards for Android, though. Why is it taking so long?
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To fellow iPad owners/users who, like me, have been awaiting the arrival of Bots on their favoured device; an update is now in the App Store which finally includes this functionality. Yippee!!! :-)
Apologies to Android owners/users. I'm sure all iOS device owners hope Bots arrive for your favoured devices soon.
So instead of it going to rich people that travel abroad it's for rich people that buy the latest greatest iphone. really nice let me know when android version comes out.
iPhone? Bah. We need android and web-bots!! Your site is terrific. I heard that it was created by a Guatemalan. I am an American who has spent most of my time in Guatemala for the past three years.
J'ai essayé cette actualisation et je l'aime beaucoup. C'est un façon de pratiquer une conversation avec une autre personne imaginaire en français, allemand, espagnol... Je pense que je vais progresser beaucoup avec les Bots de Duolingo.
Bonjour GonzaloMar, avec quel cursus Espagnol as-tu testé le Bots? J'apprends l'espagnol via le français sur iOS et je n'ai pas trouvé cette fonctionnalité dans mon application qui est pourtant à jour :(.
c'est dans l'application de duolingo de mon iphone. on peut faire les bots seulement si on a l'application pour les cellulaires ;)
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Thank you for your extreme dedication to making the learning of languages both fun and successful! Chapeau!!!
It's really fun! at first I was super scary to try, but now I love it! DO we have access using a desktop or is only for mobile?
Can there be a chromebook version? I am in 8th grade and learning some french to advance in highschool, but I can take my lessons/courses on my school-issued chromebook. Please update for chromebook!!!
Great ! Awesome!! I'm Enjoying it on my iPad though I observe sudden crashes since I started using DUOLINGO BOTS. Pray when do we expect ARABIC from ENGLISH ? I would like to take on this before tackling CHINESE from ENGLISH.
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That sounds wonderful! Thank you!!!!!
A question for you...
Is there any chance that Latin will be added as a language to be learned in your collection of languages? I understand that so many European languages are based upon Latin. I have always wanted to learn it.
if it is not currently in the plans to add Latin as a language, could you please consider it?
i would hope that there are m any people out here who would be interested in learning it and who also would benefit from the experience!!!!
Thank you SSSSSsoOOOOOOoooo much for inventing this app. It has been a material positive 'good' in my life and in the lives of so many people around the world.
In this day and age, when negative, polarizing forces seem to be on the uptick around the world, I am hearten to know that people like you, and your many many many colleagues, followers and admirers are laboring quietly to make this a better world.
Many, many thanks!
Danke vielmals!
Elizabeth Krispin
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Bots are absolutely awesome. No better way to learn a language than to speak it! Good job folks
Je pense que vous devriez faire une version en ligne, car il serait beaucoup plus facile. Merci beaucoup!
I'm Absolutely ratchet at spanish, but I'm trying. Had anyone learnt a language and is fully bilingual using duolingo?
I think you're expecting a bit much out of a little app. I see 'fully bilingual' as to mean that you understand the nuances and colloquialisms of a language, and for that you will need to be around other regular Spanish speakers.
I'm pretty sure I'm going to try to be an exchange student in Spain eventually so i can be around the language 24/7
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I tried this out, and I seriously was very impressed with it. Though I have only done the first conversation for German, but I know this is going to be a fun way to pass some time. Can't wait for it to be on the Android system. But thanks a million for making a fun, and new way for me to work on bettering my language skills
I think I found a bug. I just started using the bots in Spanish, and when I got to the second conversation about the animals in the zoo, I wasn't able to respond to the first question concerning the turtle. Hope you guys can work the bug out soon, as I think this is an excellent addition to Duolingo!
I got up to forty % and I was given a owl award and now can't go any farther.Why?
if you are talking about the fluency that is because the % is actually not about how fluent you are in the language it is how much work you do in a short amount of time if you did twenty lessons in a week you would have like 40% fluency if you did twenty lessons over ten weeks you would have like 11% fluency Hope I helped, mariofinatic
I absolutely love the bots! This was such a fantastic idea. They really help me get a feel for practicing the language. Well done!
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That's amazing! Great news for those of us who feel a little shy :-) I talk to my dog in french but he never says anything back.
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Too much discussion here about android. More important is when we might get more languages? Is Russian in development?
It's more important that a limited number of users get more languages than expanding it to more users?
Not too happy with how linear the conversations feel. There is not really a natural flow like real conversation would have
Improve the courses first! It's hard to learn with just exercises with short sentences. Give us paragraphs, to start with.
I missed this announcement and discovered this on my Ipad by accident. I love it. It really feels like I'm having a conversation. Keep up the good work Duo!
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I'm enjoying the bots a lot. They are challenging me to compose a sentence versus recalling a sentence. and its nice to have some help if needed. I assume there are a limited number of them so far, at least in German. The Bots have helped to revitalize my desire to return each day. Well done.
Brilliant! This will be really helpful to me, because I'm completely what you described up there. I get embarrassed so easily practising with a fluent speaker in case I mess up! Eagerly awaiting the release of the bots on android and web! Thanks so much :)
I only checked in on this app briefly but it seems to be another good addition to the process of learning a new language. I do however long for an app (or a real person) to actually speak with. I'd love to have a bot that can "hear" and respond to a conversation.
This is fantastic news, I'm looking forward to the Android and the Web-versions. I'm interested in both the AI aspect of it, as that is one of my interests, and to see how advanced it'll be, and, obviously, the language learning paradigm that it will offer! I'm super excited.
Also, just a word of advice to the developers - the need to be online to access lessons (and, presumably, to access the bots?) can be very limiting. I'm sure that I'm not alone who has an issue with using Duolingo on the subway. I can't access a new lesson when I'm underground and where there is sporadic connection the wait from one question to another question takes minutes, because it keeps trying to reconnect to the web. If I could just download the lessons to my mobile device, that would be worth PAYING for the app. I understand that you need to take the ad serving loss in this scenario into your business forecasting - I would be willing to pay $20 per language for a downloadable version. There are probably hundreds of thousands of potential paying-customers like myself out there in large cities where subways are still not equipped with internet connection. I'm from New York.
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Just tried it on my wife's iPad - great fun and a great tool. PLEASE add it to the web interface soon!
When will there be support for Swedish? I have a friend who is fluent in Swedish but he's not confident to speak Swedish outside the home.
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I am stuck in trying to answer one of the questions in the Spanish series about Halloween. I have no idea what I'm supposed to answer to describe the man at the door. Nothing I've tried works. And the program doesn't give you any way to figure out what you're supposed to say. I've been successful with the other conversations, but I'm stumped with this second guy.
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The program has a "help me reply" button if you're stuck. I've also used other dictionary/translation apps to help me come up with words I don't know yet, like "el vampiro". The sentence structure you need to describe the person at the door is: "He/she has a costume of ___"
Hope this helps.
Thank you for this fabulous opportunity to learn French! I have found duolingo a few days ago and am enjoying the process. I don't know what ingots are for, but I have 4.
I am loving the new Bots!! I seem to have lost 2% fluency since using them though. Is this because I have been neglecting the usual 'tree'? The tree was getting a little boring as I had finished it.
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i have been using the bots for French on my iPad but every time I go in to it it goes back to the beginning and repeats the conversation I've had about 10 times now. How long till it moves on to the next phase?
The bots have been such a fantastic addition to the app! I have used Duolingo for years, but have had a new surge to talk about it with friends now that this new feature is available. It's actually what got me on the web version to see if there are other features, and their are! I really like the web version too. Loving the progress, Duolingo, Thank you!!
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I have an IPhone and I can see and hear the BOTS but they don't seem to hear me. How do I turn on this feature. I have an Iphone 4S.
I used the iPhone Bot app and LOVED it! I can't wait for a web version! Please, please, PUHLEEASE do a web version ASAP! :)
I just discovered the Chat bot and it is great! Thanks a lot for adding this.
Hope Portuguese is high on the list of languages. A friend, who is learning Spanish, says this is great.
When using the bot I am only able to type my response. Is there a setting where I can actually speak my response?
Just used the Bots for German and thought it was excellent. It was great to have a proper conversation rather than just learn words and phrases. Good job! Hopefully more languages can be added
Bots are great. I just wish my the XP earned would show up in my students overall totals. Will they eventually? In the meantime, I encouraged them to screenshot their totals and show them to me at the end of the assignment period.
Hopefully, Portuguese will be one on where you can use a Bot. Started using Bots with German, it is awesome.
I don't get how Duolingo can achieve so much and be so great but only release this feature to the iphone app users. Why not wait to release this feature until they can offer it to Andriod users, too? Sad.
Is there a Sofia and David too? Like from the courses? Cuz there's a Luis.
How do you get to talk so fast when the 'bots' speak Danish?! I am learning danish and it is so hard to become fluent even with the first lesson! I am honestly astounded by how amazing people get at languages from Duolingo!
When do you think Korean will be launched? I would really enjoy learning Korean! I can't find any other sites to learn it, so I'm most likely to rely on Duolingo. It says that it isn't close to being launched (34%) I believe, it also says that it will be 'hatched' on 12/31/99. I think that this was a while ago. Anyway I think that bringing bots onto Duolingo is a great idea!
Thanks
This is what I have been waiting for. I don't have an iPhone though so am looking forward to the other platforms. Can you tell us what they might be?
I think the bots are great but i miss the feel when you can freely answer so that every word is accepted.
I kinda dropped it last May when I couldn't understand something. The forum is not available on my phone app. I s s shoulduse online version
These are super cool!!!!!!!!! They just were released on iPad and I love them. It makes it so much easier! However the only issue is that they do not ever sharpen your skills. It would be nice to be able to use them as a skill set or something. I really like them!
I started started understand people who speak French. So it is definitely working.
I've used this on iOS and it's amazing. However, I mainly use Duolingo from my Mac and would love to see the web version soon :)
You know many of the questions, since they have been asked ad nauseum. Why don't you simply provide some answers?
I highly appreciate your efforts. Being able to do conversation in the language you learn while doing something else (dishes, driving to work, going for a walk) will be really helpful. I hope the commands will also be handsfree for that purpose :-).
Truly enjoy the Bots on my IPad. Looking forward to when I can access them on my PC.
I have been using the bots on my phone and really like the feature. However, it is just as much an exercise in typing on the (small) iphone keypad as it is a language practice tool. Would love to have this feature available in the browser version so I can focus on the language.
Really excited about the Bots, but when would other languages be added? Does it depend on the course makers, popularity of the course, etc.?
Totally spot on, I don't have the confidence to practice with people. I cannot wait for the Italian Bots.
Are the Bots available for every language? My iPhone is up to date but I can't seem to find the Bot feature for Italian.
My co-teacher and I think this is a great feature and we have been playing around with ways to have our kids use this feature. Will duolingo be adding this to the assignments section? IE: will teachers be able to assign a certain number of bot chats that students have to complete in a set time period? If not, I think it would be a great addition!
I tried it on Ipad for German. It works very well except the wording can be off slightly :)
I have been using Bots for a few weeks and it works fantabulously well. It has helped me a LOT. Thank you to all the people who made this amazing thing!
I use Iphone Duolingo app and I'm learning French but I don't find Bots in the app where are they?????
Duolingo is very interested and very good as well.i am very interest of learning french language but i need your support to heip me or push me up.
Very excited for this! I use a Language Exchange app but usually I find myself using English more. This eliminates awkward language barriers and allows me to get adequate practice in. Can't wait for Bots available in Norwegian. Jeg elsker lære Norsk!
Get a PC version in Ukrainian please. Ukrainian is my native language and ever since moving to the USA I rarely ever get a chance to speak it with others. Please do me this favour.
I can't get my sound to work I have to type in the answers and my microphone is on
Please add this to the web! I started Spanish and this sounds very interesting and resourceful. This will help many people a whole lot. Especially for people who can't travel at the moment and try out the language for themselves with real interaction.
Does somebody know how many chats are there? (English from Spanish)
Thanks in advance for answering.
I don't have an iPhone or anyone to talk to for conversational practise. I am really enjoying the course but I really need conversation too. When will this be available please?
I tried it on an iPad. It was great! I wish you had a web version so I could do it more often, though.
wow! good now we won't have those not - smart robots that correct our words because i have reported the same problem a thousand times ! and still nobody has returned my report or worked on the problem . the only problems on duolingo are the glitches, and the words, the robots that watch over and correct our word!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SOMEBODY NEED'S TO LOOK OVER MY COMMENT AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT INSTEAD OF JUST SITTING THERE AND DOING NOTHING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sound super! please advice as soon as the Portuguese will be available. Thanks
Ar fheabhas! as pointed out by the President, well done to you all in the team. I am a fan but my God it is tough ;-)
Fantastic! I've just tried the IPhone version and it works great. Bring on the web version, I'm ready!
I don't know maybe this is a bad idea. I mean what if the robots are so smart they can turn themselves into terminator or something.
''Duolingo Bots understand and react to thousands of unique responses. The more you interact with them, the smarter they become.''
I'd love to see / read some more detailed information on this. On a quick test on a friends phone (as I don't use the iOS) I discovered that you couldn't hit send for some messages, which gave me the impression there is quite a finite number of replies you can give a bot. I understand that the bots are in early stages though.
This sounds amazing! Like the text says, having fluent conversations is an important feature in learning a language. This'll definitely help me and much more people learn whatever language they're going for.
i dnot have an iphone, let alone any phone, i hope there will be a web version of this or even a kindel fire version
So even if I had an iphone I'd be screwed because I am learning Turkish.
Are there any updates of when an android version would be coming out? Or even just how successful the program has been. I am really excited about this for I am one of the people too shy to practice with native speakers.
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It would be great if the Bots contributed to experience and fluency - my fluency rating has dropped since I started using Bots for German. Also I haven't seen a new conversation in a while - are more coming?
Hi Duolingo team,
When will the new bots be available in Portuguese? Many thanks for your response, and thank you for your wonderful app.
I've enjoyed the bots on my phone so far, but I would love to see a web version! Thank you for all your hard work!
I just got on Duolingo for the first time since September. I have a request. I don't know if anyone will answer it, but oh well. Can someone please make Creole one of the languages able to learn? I have adopted cousins coming from Haiti soon and it would be nice to talk to them in something other than French which I'm not very fluent in anyway.
I love the bots. However, I would enjoy them more if they allowed you the chance to speak. What I find is when people attempt to speak a language they are more fearful of making a mistake in pronunciation. I don't really have anyone near me who speaks French and I can't check with them. Some people I know speak Canadian-French but it isn't the same dialect. So... I don't know maybe Duolingo will be like an iPhone and slowly improve its technology with every try. Also I would love to learn Japanese. Please make this possible! (P.S. If you are wondering why have almost all the languages in my profile, it's because I sampled them over the summer because I wasn't sure what language I wanted to learn.)
I'm really enjoying the new Bots! Having completed the tree in Spanish a while ago, I find this much more interesting than just going over the exercises again! I'm also continuing to take Spanish classes and Bots will help me enormously with my conversation practice. Well done again Duolingo!
Yes, i have the android version and the computer version. On the android version, bots are available. They are really helpful and useful. They seem to help me practice talking in french. Which is really cool :D Also you get lots of XP if you respond correctly, all in all bots are really useful and amazing. Nice job Duo Lingo ;)
Hope the Android version is soon available. I've enjoyed the Bots on my Ipad. I love Duolingo and enjoyed this new to Duolingo method of learning. I enjoy the ever greater level of challenge duolingo gives. The Bots could be more flexible though.
Any word on when Android is coming? I'm getting jealous of my husband whose got an iPhone and has been chatting with the bots. It looks great. I like how you can stay in French for a conversation instead of switching back and forth to English like most of the lessons. Once it's added to Android that will definitely be part of my daily French practice!
Tried on the iPad app, very nice new feature! Hope this will be available in the web version soon.
I really like the Bots. Being able to have a conversation is nice. I wish that they accepted a larger variety of answers. Most of the time, I am told that my answer is not one of the accepted words or some such thing.
Also, if you are going to "grade" our answers, I would appreciate knowing why I got that grade.
I get the feeling that feedback happens here and is pulled into the next conversations, though! As for the 'grade', I've noticed that if you give a slightly more complex answer - eg "je preferiez manger une pomme" rather than just "une pomme", you get "Great answer" instead of "Good answer".
I'm pretty sure that you can get duolingo on andriod? I got it on my fire tablet. Or maybe that isn't android.
Oh, i thought that you couldn't get duolingo at all, and that was the problem. Thanks!
I've been using the Duolingo bots in my phone and it's SO cool! I love being able to interact with different bots to help strengthen my French. I can't wait for the web version!
Any estimated dates for a web and an android version? Cmon, I really want this but I wont buy a ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ iphone for that.
Has the Spanish bot been improved lately? It seems to do a much better job of "understanding" and correcting my more "creative" (off-script) input. Well done BTW.... but - anDROID anDROID anDROID :)
Please make a web version! It's fine on the iPad, but it would be so much easier if I could have all of Duolingo on my laptop. :)
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How long before we get an Italian bot? I have been using Duo for three years and still get tongue tied when trying to speak to people on Skype. I would be much more relaxed if I was speaking to a bot to gain confidence .
Do all of the languages have bots? Because they are not showing up on my spanish...
I have app version 5.1.25 for my iPhone but there is no Bot Tutor. My wife has the same version on her phone and she does have the Bot Tutor. The Bot Tutor is on my iPad, but there is no microphone option for the iPad. I would like to be able to "speak" Spanish not just "write" Spanish. Please advise.
wow I think language bots would be fantastic. I want to try the French bot right now. Do you have one for English as a Second Language?
That is a very good thing. I see this news is from a year ago. Is the feature already available for Android phones?
I cannot find the bots on my iPhone 6, there is no icon at the bottom of the screen with the smiley in the speech bubble.
BRING BACK THE BOTS! ever since the crown update came out, there are no bots, just stories!
I wish that Norwegian would have Bots. Also, whenever a new language (Finnish and/or Icelandic) comes out, it would make sense to have Bots already there.
I don't like the male voice in Italian It does not replicate the vowels clearly and I keep getting the sentence wrong because of that
hey duolingo, thank you for offering this new function for us. i like it, and i would like to help those who are learning Chinese. i am a native Chinese speaker from mainland China, don't know if i could get the opportunity to tutor Chinese.
They aren’t there anymore. Initially., it was for Spanish, French, and German, but I heard that they have been removed.
