The pace of application releases on the App Store has increased drastically, with approximately 560 thousand apps made available in the first half of 2026. This volume represents almost double the total released throughout all of 2025, when approximately 600 thousand applications were published.
This data was compiled by The New York Times, using information provided by the market analysis company Sensor Tower. It is important to note that despite the expressive increase in releases, the number of downloads did not follow the same trajectory, growing only 2% in the first half of 2026, totaling 17.6 billion.
Additionally, in April 2026, Appfigures registered an 80% growth in App Store releases in the first quarter of the year compared to the same period in 2025. This accelerated growth is not exclusive to the Apple ecosystem, as including the Google Play Store, the increase in the same interval was 60%.
The main cause of this increase in app supply is the emergence of 'vibe coding'. This method consists of creating software using instructions written in natural language, a process enabled by the support of artificial intelligence models that convert these commands into functional code.
The new tools have encouraged individuals to reevaluate the app market as a potential business opportunity. Sensor Tower indicates that the number of releases on the Apple store reached its lowest point in 2022, with 420 thousand, and has since shown an upward trend.
This trend seems to contradict previous predictions that Artificial Intelligence would eliminate the need for applications, given that AI is already capable of performing various functions, such as photo editing, travel organization, and presentation creation.
However, the increase in the quantity of offerings has not yet generated a corresponding increase in consumer engagement. Sensor Tower points out that downloads grew by 3% in 2025, reaching 35.4 billion, and 2% in the first half of 2026, totaling 17.6 billion.
A report published by the New York Times this Monday (07/20) analyzes the possible repercussions of this dynamic for Apple. On one hand, the larger volume of apps can be beneficial for the company, which receives commissions of up to 30% on subscriptions and internal transactions. However, this benefit depends on greater user interest, which has not yet occurred.
There is also the possibility that these new applications will opt for ad-based monetization models, a simpler option to implement but less financially advantageous for Apple. Furthermore, the large volume of submissions may overload the manual review process, resulting in longer approval times, which is already being observed. Quality issues, such as security risks or inappropriate content, are also raised concerns. Apple itself told the NYT that it is excited to follow a new generation of developers using the latest tools to publish applications at unprecedented speed, emphasizing that all must adhere to the same standards of quality, privacy, and security.
The Roost application models message sending using virtual carrier pigeons, where delivery time depends on the distance between users and the flight speed of each specific bird breed.
The app's creator, Logan Mendelson, aims to offer a more measured and less instantaneous communication experience that serves as a kind of pause, unlike traditional messengers. He explained this idea to the specialized site TechCrunch.
Mendelson noted that the app experienced significant growth in May after gaining attention from a publication in Threads, which led to an increase in active users from 10 thousand to 100 thousand. Furthermore, the app went viral in Brazil thanks to a post on X on Thursday (07/15).
Upon registering in Roost, the user selects four types of birds to create a virtual aviary. These animals (as well as snails and tortoises) are used to deliver messages to contacts within the app, and users can purchase new species.
The arrival time of a message is determined by two key factors: the physical distance between the sender and receiver, and the actual speed of the chosen species. In a test conducted by Tecnoblog, it was found that a message from the state of São Paulo to Amazonas could arrive in approximately three days.
By default, Roost, developed using Claude Code, only shows contacts the user's city, but there is an option to share real-time precise location with close friends. The app also includes a Pen Pals feature, which allows exchanging anonymous letters with people of the same age.
To reduce the risk of misuse, the platform limits image sending. In addition to text and GIF files, users can write 'letters' or draw by hand using the 'Caderno' tool.
