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The Paradox of One-Click Apps, the App Store Degenerated into an AI Junkyard

Date
May 29, 2026
Classification
  1. AI/IT/Productivity
#
  1. Development Trends
조선일보경제 뉴스 - 조선일보
•
Reporter An Byeol / Tech Department
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"Everyone wants to make an app with AI?" It has become a garbage dump flooded with low-quality apps.

#VibeCoding #AIslop #AppStore #RevenueSpam #DeadInternetTheory

🫑 3-Line Summary

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The widespread adoption of generative AI coding tools has ushered in the era of Vibe Coding, where even non-developers can easily create apps. However, the App Store is flooded with unoriginal copycat apps and low-quality AI slops.
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With countless apps flooding in every day, Apple's app review waiting time, which used to be completed within 48 hours, has been delayed by more than a month, effectively paralyzing the platform's review functions and quality control.
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There are concerns that as meaningless copycat apps exploit algorithms to dominate rankings, indie developers who create real value are being pushed out by marketing onslaughts and dying out, leading to the devastation of the internet ecosystem itself.

🥦 Insight

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Wary of the digital noise brought about by the popularization of technology
The era of launching apps solely through text input appeared to be an opportunity, but it ultimately produced side effects that disrupted the market. Service planners and product managers must move away from a race against time to simply churn out products using technology, and instead focus on securing exclusive value and details that users can actually experience.
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Collapse of Platform Trust and New Distribution Opportunities
The existing formula for app market distribution is shaking as even giants like Apple are losing their gatekeeper role, unable to handle the flood of volume. Now is the time for marketers and entrepreneurs to forge independent user acquisition channels centered on communities and relationships, rather than simply clinging to the competition for App Store rankings.
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The limitations of a superficial product and true ability
Revenue-driven spam that replicates simple utility apps like PDF readers solely to target advertising revenue is bound to be shunned by users and disappear quickly. We live in an era where the craftsmanship to construct a sustainable business structure by sharply defining the genuine needs of customers—rather than being intoxicated by technical proficiency or clicky coding—has become more valuable.

🥄 A spoonful of execution

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Let's take a hard look at whether the features or content we are currently preparing are merely clichés that others could replicate with AI in just a few minutes. For today, let's set aside the convenience of tools for a moment and think about what unique vision and human touch only our team can bring.

—— View Original ——

Office worker Mr. A recently used his break time to create his own household budget app.
Although I had absolutely no coding knowledge, when I instructed an AI coding tool via a message saying, "Create a household ledger with a clean design," a decent-looking ledger app was created in just a few minutes.
As the number of 'Vibe Coders' like Mr. A increases exponentially, the App Store, once a symbol of innovation, is turning into a massive 'AI junkyard.'
◇ The Paradox of Innovation in 'Vibe Coding'
With the recent widespread adoption of coding tools utilizing generative AI, such as Cursor, Leaflet, and Bolt, the era of so-called 'Vibe Coding' has begun.
Even those who are not developers can instantly create an app by inputting their ideas as text. Leaflet recently revealed that users have flooded the market with over 5,000 apps through its platform. However, the results brought about by this lowered barrier to entry for coding are disastrous.
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