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The App Store is booming again, and AI may be why

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Everyone said AI would kill apps. Instead, new app launches are soaring.

According to a new analysis from market intelligence provider Appfigures, worldwide app releases in the first quarter of 2026 were up 60% year-over-year across both Apple’s App Store and Google Play. That percentage was an even higher 80% when looking at the iOS App Store alone. In April 2026 so far, the total number of app releases is up 104% across both stores compared to the same time last year, and up 89% on iOS.

As Apple’s Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing, Greg “Joz” Joswiak, quipped In a recent interview: rumors of the App Store’s death in the AI age “may have been greatly exaggerated.”

Image Credits:Appfigures

These findings come amid concerns that the rise of AI chatbots and agents would ultimately see users turning away from apps — a theory that’s already being floated by those in the industry, like Nothing CEO Carl Pei, who is focused on building a smartphone for the AI era. The New York Times also reported last year on the potential for new computing platforms to eclipse the smartphone, like smart glasses, ambient computing devices, or reimagined smartwatches with AI features.

OpenAI is even working on an AI hardware device with famed Apple designer Jony Ive.

But there’s another possibility, too: AI will make it easier for anyone to create apps, driving a rebirth of the App Store. The new app gold rush could be led by creators who have ideas but not the technical skills to design mobile software.

Appfigures’ data indicates that certain categories of apps are seeing more new releases than others.

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Mobile games still account for most of the new app releases worldwide as of Q1 2026, as they have in prior years. But “productivity” apps have moved into the top five this year. The “utilities” category has also moved up to the number two slot, and the “lifestyle” apps category moved up from the No. 5 slot last year to now No. 3. Finally, “health and fitness”-style applications rounded out the top five categories.

Image Credits:Appfigures

The working hypothesis here is that AI-powered tools, like Claude Code or Replit, could be behind the surge of new launches. It also seems possible that we’re hitting some sort of tipping point in terms of AI usability, where it’s easy enough for people to leverage these tools to build their own desired mobile apps more quickly — or even build their first apps ever.

The explosion of new apps for Apple to review could also be behind some of the tech giant’s recent missteps. This week, Apple pulled the rewards app Freecash from the App Store for rules violations, after letting the app climb the store’s Top Charts and sit in the top five for months. Apple was also caught off guard by a malicious cryptocurrency app, a clone of Ledger Live, that drained $9.5 million in crypto from victims’ accounts.

While high-profile problems like this can generate bad PR for the App Store, the company still does a lot of heavy lifting in terms of blocking and rejecting dangerous or spammy apps. Apple’s most recent analysis from 2024 said the company had removed or rejected more than 17,000 apps for bait-and-switch violations that year; rejected more than 320,000 app submissions that were found to be spam, copying other apps, or misleading; and took action to prevent more than 37,000 potentially fraudulent apps from reaching users on the App Store.

Still, Apple pundits like John Gruber have long argued that the App Store needs a “bunco squad” of sorts that watches for scammy or fraudulent apps that are gaining in popularity or high-grossing.

If AI-assisted vibe coding turns out to be behind the recent surge of app releases, that need will only grow as more new apps flood the marketplace, not all of which will be benign.

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Ekiti 2026: Re-elect Oyebanji for second term – Tinubu tells residents

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s performance in office, telling Ekiti voters that the governor came into leadership fully prepared to serve the people.

Speaking ahead of the June 20 governorship election, Tinubu urged residents to re-elect Oyebanji for a second term.

The endorsement came on Tuesday at the All Progressives Congress mega rally in Ado-Ekiti. The venue was packed with party faithful, allies from other political groups, and supporters across religious and ethnic lines, all showing solidarity with Oyebanji’s re-election bid.

Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, President Tinubu praised Ekiti citizens for their loyalty to the APC over the years.

He described the state as fortunate to have Oyebanji at the helm of affairs, noting that the governor’s actions and policies prove that true leadership is about serving people, not oppressing them or undermining their rights.

Tinubu highlighted Oyebanji’s humility, patience, and respect for traditional rulers and past leaders, pointing out the absence of opposition posters across the state as a sign of Oyebanji’s wide acceptance.

“On Saturday, go out and re-elect this humble and peaceful man to further serve you better,” Shettima said on Tinubu’s behalf. The President then symbolically handed Oyebanji over to former governors and first ladies, urging them to secure victory for him.

Chairman of the APC National Campaign Council and Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, described Oyebanji’s popularity as electrifying.

Chairman of the APC Governors Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, said the party’s visibility in Ekiti was unmatched. He noted that only the APC had campaigned market to market and house to house.

APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwadta, insisted the party’s confidence was rooted in Oyebanji’s connection to the people, not just in being the ruling party.

A visibly elated Governor Oyebanji, joined by his wife Dr Olayemi Oyebanji and Deputy Monisade Afuye, said he was not relying on federal might but on his record and the promises he kept since 2022.

He appealed for a peaceful election and promised that his second term would surpass the achievements of the last three and a half years.

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Nigerian Striker Toyosi Olusanya Completes Permanent Move to Aberdeen on Two-Year Deal

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Scottish Premiership club Aberdeen have secured the permanent signing of London-born Nigerian striker Toyosi Olusanya, with the forward committing his future to the club on a two-year contract after an impressive loan spell.

READ ALSO: Isaac John Turns Heads at Ex-Internationals Cup in Lagos, Declares Himself Ready for the Big Stage 

Sports247 reports that the 28-year-old joins the Dons as a free agent following the expiration of his contract with Major League Soccer side Houston Dynamo. His arrival marks another key addition to manager Stephen Robinson’s rebuilding project ahead of the new season.

Olusanya spent the second half of the previous campaign on loan at Aberdeen, where he quickly adapted to life in Scottish football.

During his stint, he made 18 appearances across all competitions and contributed three goal involvements, earning the confidence of the coaching staff and convincing the club to pursue a permanent deal.

The striker’s work rate, physical presence, and attacking versatility made him a valuable option during his loan spell, and Aberdeen will be hoping he can build on that foundation as they prepare for the challenges of the upcoming Premiership campaign.

His signing represents the fifth addition to Robinson’s squad during the summer transfer window as the club continues to strengthen its roster with an eye on domestic success and improved performances across all competitions.

Born in London and eligible to represent Nigeria, Olusanya has enjoyed a career spanning English football and Major League Soccer before making the move north of the border.

The permanent transfer offers him the opportunity to continue his development in a familiar environment after settling into the team during his loan period.

For Aberdeen, retaining a player who already understands the club’s style and expectations provides continuity as they reshape the squad for the new season.

Supporters will be eager to see the Nigerian forward translate his promising displays into consistent goals and assists over the course of the campaign.

With his future now secured at Pittodrie, Olusanya begins the next chapter of his career aiming to establish himself as a key figure in Aberdeen’s attack and help the club compete strongly in the Scottish Premiership.

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