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"Free language learning platform\u00A0Duolingo\u00A0has launched an updated version of its iOS app today, introducing a virtual store and a language coach, as it seeks to further engage its users and keep them using the app.\r\n\r\nThe virtual store features additions to help further engage Duolingo users by letting them\u00A0purchase virtual items to customize their experience with its new virtual currency &amp;quot;Lingots,&amp;quot; which users can earn by achieving certain milestones in Duolingo.\r\n\r\nDespite the use of the term 'currency,' Duolingo's virtual store won't be a source of revenue for the company. The company's revenue comes from selling translations created in collaboration by their students while they practice their language skills using real world content -- such as to BuzzFeed.\r\n\r\nInstead, the virtual store is intended as a &amp;quot;gaming element to make Duolingo more efficient as a learning tool and more engaging,&amp;quot; a Duolingo spokeswoman says.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe language coach, which comes in the form of Duolingo's mascot Duo the owl, acts as a personal tutor to help users stay on track with goals they have set, helping ensure that they are continually engaged and active on the app.\r\n\r\nAn update to the Android version of the app will be rolled out &amp;quot;in the future,&amp;quot; according to Duolingo.\r\n\r\nIn October, Duolingo rolled out a\u00A0program called the\u00A0Language Incubator, letting native speakers and language enthusiasts create courses that an algorithm will subsequently ensure are in line with Duolingo\u2019s standards. This meant that the number of\u00A0languages being offered on Duolingo should go up dramatically \u2014 as long as people are creating language courses.\r\n\r\nDuolingo started off offering six languages -- Spanish, English, French, German, Portugese, Italian -- and it is now offering a handful of other courses in beta.\r\n\r\n\u27A4 Duolingo |\u00A0iOS\u00A0|\u00A0Google Play\r\n\r\nHeadline image via Shutterstock"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://thenextweb.com/apps/2013/12/12/duolingo-introduces-gamified-virtual-store-to-its-ios-app-to-keep-language-learners-engaged/>