{
  "id": 10433668,
  "title": "Rosetta Stone wants to reinvent language learning for the smartphone era",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/rosetta-stone-wants-to-reinvent-language-learning-for-the-smartphone",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-28T11:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Fast Company",
    "slug": "fast-company",
    "url": "https://www.fastcompany.com/91613448/with-sapphire-rosetta-stone-aims-to-appeal-to-todays-language-learners"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Founded in 1992, Rosetta Stone has utilized technological advancements to offer language learning through convenient home-based solutions. Initially, these technologies were CD-ROMs, with the company's distinctive yellow-boxed software gaining popularity in malls and airports. In 2013, Rosetta Stone ceased its physical storefronts to concentrate on digital delivery, as users began leaning towards cloud-based learning. Over time, the company shifted from one-time software purchases to subscription models. As of 2026, Rosetta Stone seeks to reinvent itself once more with its latest iteration, Rosetta Stone Sapphire, prioritizing the mobile experience while preserving the depth that has historically drawn and retained learners. Ansh Juneja, a senior product manager at Rosetta Stone, explains that the company has carefully considered how people utilize their devices today, taking into account the tools users expect. Trends in app development, such as the emphasis on images and video, dovetail with how Rosetta Stone conveys practical language usage. The new version, accessible via $19.99-per-month or $13.25-per-month annual subscriptions, incorporates artificial intelligence features like \"Chat Missions,\" simulating scenarios for language practice, such as booking a restaurant reservation or handling a professional meeting. Additionally, a vast assortment of topical digital flashcards aids in practicing specific conversations or quick study sessions. The software has been optimized for mobile use, simplifying lesson progression without the need for excessive \"next\" button clicks or menu navigation. The Rosetta Stone team also ensured the software operates efficiently with a single hand, considering real-world phone usage habits. Many of the new features are likely to attract fans of contemporary language-learning apps like Duolingo. Despite the new features, Rosetta Stone remains a premium product for users seeking in-depth, immersive study sessions to actually speak a new language. Acquired by IXL Learning in 2021, the company emphasizes delivering effective learning experiences. Existing features, such as Rosetta Stone's TruAccent pronunciation training tool, remain intact, and a subscription grants access to all 25 supported languages. Juneja believes Rosetta Stone serves as a lifelong companion for language learning, with older versions still supported for current users. Since the launch of Sapphire across the United States and internationally earlier this year, the company has observed an increase in signups and usage, though specific figures were not disclosed. Interest in language learning has also grown around the FIFA World Cup. The new software offers customization through the Sapphire Studio feature, enabling users to create tailored flashcards and game-like learning tools, echoing the trend of adaptive AI tools among language-learning companies. However, Rosetta Stone still provides real-time sessions with certified, live tutors, ensuring a human touch in feedback and question-answering. Juneja emphasizes that real-time interaction with people will always be a crucial aspect of language learning.",
  "summary": "Founded in 1992, Rosetta Stone has long taken advantage of technological advances to deliver language learning to customers in the comfort of their own homes. Early on, that technology was the CD-ROM; the company’s yellow-boxed software packages were a familiar sight in malls and airports across the country . They promised immersive, interactive language learning modeled on how children learn,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}