AI App Gold Rush Floods Apple Store With Low-Quality Offerings - Slashdot
Dec 11, 2024 - slashdot.org
AI-powered applications have become prevalent in Apple's App Store, particularly in the graphics and design categories, with many AI-branded tools ranking highly. However, an investigation by The Verge highlights quality issues with these apps. A notable example is DaVinci AI, developed by Turkey-based HUBX, which ranks among the top graphics apps despite offering limited free features and charging up to $30 annually for full access. The app is criticized for producing low-quality images and imposing watermarks on paid users' downloads. Sensor Tower data indicates that four of the top 10 most downloaded iOS graphics apps in the U.S. this year include "AI" in their titles.
While traditional photo editing apps like Photoshop Express have experienced a 21% decline in downloads, AI-focused apps such as Photoroom have seen a 160% increase year-over-year. This trend suggests that AI apps are primarily attracting casual users looking for free alternatives to professional creative services, as professional creative apps still dominate the iPad and paid iPhone categories.
Key takeaways:
AI-powered apps are dominating Apple's App Store, especially in the graphics and design categories, despite quality concerns.
Turkey-based developer HUBX controls three of the top 10 graphics apps, with DaVinci AI criticized for low-quality output and watermark issues.
AI-branded apps are popular, with four of the top 10 most downloaded iOS graphics apps in the U.S. including "AI" in their titles.
AI app trends seem to target casual users looking for free alternatives, while professional creative apps remain dominant in iPad and paid iPhone categories.
