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Man proposes via language-learning app Duolingo

We've seen some pretty creative marriage proposals, but we never would have thought of proposing via a language-learning app. Flavio Esposito, on the other hand, seems to like thinking outside the down-on-one-knee box.

The Italian man's American girlfriend was using Duolingo to learn Italian, so he got in touch with the Duolingo team to come up with a surprise.

"She's learning my own language, and she enjoys it so much that I'm wondering if I could ask you to set up an exercise for her that would lead to the big question: 'Will you marry Flavio Esposito?'" he wrote.

The team, unable to resist either the challenge or the romance, set about writing some translation exercises for Kate to be dropped into her learning program. … Read more

Review: Learn Final Cut Pro X works as promised with some strict trial restrictions

Learn Final Cut Pro X Free provides a number of lessons for how to use the Mac's premier video editing software; but with trial restrictions and lack of iPhone 5 support, the app has some issues. The core of the app, its educational lessons, are well designed, however, and because they load fast and download quickly from the server, it is possible to use them on the fly as you learn the software.

Developed by Mahalo, a popular online learning company, Learn Final Cut Pro X has a sleek interface, high-quality videos, and an intuitive interface. While the feature … Read more

Sample Rosetta Stone on your Android device

Rosetta Stone touts itself as one of the fastest and easiest ways to learn a new language. However, its learning system also carries a rather steep price tag: $300-$500 for the complete set. Of course this price is without any specials/discounts the company may be running at any given time. Still, if you're going to spend that kind of money on a language course, you might want to try it first.

The Rosetta Stone Web site offers a free demo of its software. Though, if you're thinking of learning in your free time, you might consider … Read more

Review: Turn your child into a fruit connoisseur with Baby Learns Fruits HD

Baby Learns Fruits HD is the iPad version of the popular Baby Bus: Baby Learns Fruits app, and it is one of the more engaging offerings from the line. Using the same basic interface and design that has made the Baby Busy line of apps so popular for young children and their parents, Baby Learns Fruits is a great way to engage a young child and help them learn at the same time.

Most Baby Bus apps come with two games, but Baby Learns Fruits HD comes with four, making it even more engaging than others in the series. Games … Read more

Review: Increase your tot's fruit fancy with Baby Learns Fruits

Baby Learns Fruits is perfect for young children, because it is educational and will keep them engaged both physically and intellectually.

Baby Learns Fruit is one of many apps in the Baby Bus line of apps. The idea of these apps is to teach children simple concepts like fruits, vegetables, shapes, colors, numbers, and letters with tap-and-play games. This particular app has four separate games that will ensure your child knows the names of fruits through and through. The interface is a small issue, initially, practically requiring you to change games or move to a different menu for them. Ads … Read more

Review: Teach your children well with Baby Learns Shapes

Baby Learns Shapes is one of many high-quality apps produced in the Baby Bus line that your children will love.

The basic idea behind Baby Learns Shapes is easy to grasp. There are two games that involve matching a specific shape with a cutout. The second game is a matching game as well, but has a collection of objects on screen--children must choose all objects that match a shape shown to them in the game. So a circle might flash onscreen and the child must find all items that are round like a circle. This mechanic is so simple in … Read more

Review: Increase your children's love of produce with Baby Learns Vegetables

Part of the Baby Bus suite of apps, Baby Learns Vegetables, helps a child between the ages of 1-3 learn the basics of vegetables (even if it can't get your little one to eat them).

The opening screen for Baby Learns Vegetables is familiar for anyone who has used a Baby Bus app. A bus with all of the apps currently in the App Store appears here. You can tap the one you've just downloaded or look through and download others. Each is a separate app, however, meaning they will load separately onto your device, and the interface, … Read more

Review: Baby Learns ABCs HD teaches letter-learning on the iPad

Fairly simple, highly polished, and heavy on the cuteness factor, Baby Learns ABCs HD is perfect for children ages 1-3. Part of the Baby Bus suite, this app is a must-download for parents.

The app features two simple, interactive games for young children. The first is a driving game in which children must move a car to capture the letters that appear onscreen. The second is a sing-along of the ABCs. Both are very rudimentary, but production values are high, which helps to keep the attention of the child using the app, and the interaction level is perfectly matched to … Read more

Review: Baby Learns ABCs sprinkles fun onto the letter-learning process

One in a long line of stylized and thematic apps for children aged 1-3, Baby Learns ABCs is produced as part of the Baby Bus suite of apps and uses the same basic interface and style of delivery as the other free apps it is often marketed with. This is a good thing, of course, as the Baby Bus apps are among the best on the App Store for young children just learning their numbers, shapes, or letters.

The Baby Learns ABCs app, in particular, is one of the better of the Baby Bus apps, combining music, games, and simple … Read more

Review: Baby Learning Shapes HD teaches basic concepts to small children

Part of the Baby Bus suite of learning tools, Baby Learning Shapes HD focuses on teaching shapes to young children.

In the case of this app, the same basic Baby Bus interface greets you when the app is first started. This is one of the apps' biggest weak points as the screen is cluttered with menus, upgrades, and other apps that the developers entice you to download, not to mention ads that your children will almost certainly find a way to tap. Once you get past the home screen interface, however, the game is well-constructed and enjoyable. The animations are … Read more