LANGUAGE-learning platform Duolingo is facing a deluge of criticism after unveiling its latest app icon.
The service offers guided lessons in more than 40 languages including Spanish, French, and German.
It is best known for its green owl mascot, Duo, who appears in ads and memes across the internet. Duo features prominently in the logo, wearing a calm and cheery expression.
But the popular app quietly unveiled new logos yesterday featuring bloated, distorted versions of the signature green owl.
Duo sports red eyes, a sweaty brow, and a snotty beak in the app tile, appearing stricken with the flu.
In an iPhone widget, the bird is swollen and downcast. Another widget proclaims “Tap to revive!” with a graphic of Duo lying on his back, presumably deceased.
Netizens abruptly flocked to social media to criticize the changes, with one going so far as to proclaim, “I actually had a panic attack.”
“To say it’s disgusting doesn’t do it much justice,” a Reddit user professed.
“I saw this icon today and deleted the app,” another reported. “Honestly, don’t want anything that disgusting on my home screen.”
However, other users quickly caught on to the firm’s marketing ploy.
“They’re trying to get people to post online about the app and it’s working quite well,” one Redditor wrote.
Duolingo has rolled out sudden design changes as recently as April, with the iconic owl sporting heavy bags beneath his eyes.
“Our iconic mascot, Duo the Owl, is quite literally exhausted from doing everything he can to remind learners to do their lessons,” the company explained at the time.
Last October, the firm once again caught attention online when the app tile appeared to be melting.
Duolingo assured users the icon would only appear “for a limited time,” and, similarly, was meant to “encourage learners to open the app.”
The new change will only appear for users running the latest version of the app.
And if you’re looking to change it back, that could cost you.
While the app is free to use, paid subscribers get access to more perks including customization.
Super Duolingo or Duolingo Max users can change the app tile to multicolored versions correlating to each subscription tier.
If you’re already subscribed, tap the Duo icon at the top right of the screen, scroll down to “Super App Icon” or “Max App Icon,” and toggle it on.
Members of Duolingo’s Streak Society can also change the logo to an orange Duo with burning eyes by following the same steps.
Dubbed the platform’s “most exclusive club,” Streak Society is open to learners who’ve used the app consistently for at least 50 days.
Duolingo is a popular language-learning platform that offers interactive lessons in a variety of languages.
It is available in more than 40 languages, with Spanish, French, and English among the most popular.
It uses a gamified approach to teach vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation, aiming to make the process more engaging and fun.
Users can practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills while earning points and leveling up as they progress.
Duolingo is available on desktop as well as in a mobile app. While the service is free to use, paid subscription tiers offer users more perks.
